ANSEILLAN

It is uncommon to see a new expression of the Lafite terroir, which is what makes Anseillan all the more special. It is not a new wine, as Anseillan has always been an integral part of Château Lafite Rothschild. It is a blend that showcases meticulously selected vineyard plots, borne of many years of intense scrutiny, research, and trials at the hands of Château Lafite’s technical teams. Cooler and later-ripening because of its northern exposure, the hamlet of Anseillan has more clay-based soils than Lafite’s classic terroirs. This diversity and unique terroir give Anseillan a distinctive style and excellent complexity.
First introduced in 2022 with the 2018 vintage, Anseillan is more merlot-dominant than the Grand Vin and is made according to the traditional Bordeaux method.

The village of Anseillan lies to the east of Lafite Rothschild, between the Château and the Gironde. This area presents a wide variety of terroirs which are the subject of much thought and research. Cooler and later because of their northern exposure, they are also more clayey than Lafite’s classic terroirs. This particularly interesting diversity offers plots that are suited to all four of Lafite’s main grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. This terroir and the teams’ work gives Anseillan great style and complexity.

The vintage got off to a good start with a mild, dry winter. Fine weather at the start of spring resulted in an early vegetative start. April and May was colder than usual and especially dry, which slowed the growth of the vegetation. Pauillac vine flowers first appeared on May 28th. A rainy spell arrived in the second half of the flowering period, leading to some coulure and millerandage. June had a rainy and cool start, then a heat wave arrived at the beginning of the summer, the likes of which had not been seen since 2003. Fortunately, it was short-lived and the vines, which were catching up, were able to face the heat. Rain arrived on July 26th: 1.75” fell in Pauillac, perfect for triggering the veraison. August temps remained very mild, without any heat peak and with a few scattered showers, then dry through the end of the month until mid-September. Harvesting for the Merlot took place from Sept 21–23, and until October 4th for the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alcoholic fermentation is conducted in wooden, concrete and stainless steel vats. Gentle pumping-over helps to ensure a soft extraction and is carried out according to the specific characteristics of each tank. Total maceration time lasts for about 20 days. After malolactic fermentation, wines are transfered into French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac for about 16 months.

Beautiful color, very young. Rich, intense and expressive nose, very characteristic of the vintage with its ripe and fresh notes. On the palate, the wine continues along the same lines: its attack is dense while remaining lively, it is powerful while being light. Already melted, the tannins are present and stretch the palate with length.