Carruades is the second wine of Lafite, made from younger vines and parcels not selected for the grand vin. The 2018 blend is 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 5.5% Cabernet Franc that higher Merlot share is what makes Carruades approachable earlier than the grand vin while still carrying the Lafite house style of graphite, cedar, and aromatic lift. 2018 was a warm, generous Left Bank vintage, and that ripeness shows up here as plush dark fruit. Drinking well now, will hold for two decades.