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Chateau Lafite Rothschild: The Greatest Wine In The World?

The well-known estate of Chateau Lafite found in Bordeaux France is owned by members of the Rothschild family who are known as bankers. The name Lafite originates from the Gascon term 'la hite' which means small hill. Lafite's vineyard is one of the greatest in the M?doc making around 35,000 cases of wine annually. Of this around 15,000 to 20,000 are for the famous first growth. Chateau Lafite also produces a subordinate wine of less significant standing called Carruades de Lafite.

Initially, only four wine estates from Bordeaux were granted First Growth status in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines, Lafite was one. Lafite Rothschild was and remains a dependable producer of the world's finest and most expensive wines.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild is situated in Pauillac which is in the Medoc area of Bordeaux. Lafite Rothschild has existed since the 13th century and was purchased in the 17th century by the Segur family. It is likely that vines already existed on the estatehowever in 1680 Jacques de Segur planted the majority of the vineyard which still exists .

The Segur family went on to refine the wine making processes of the estate and promoted Chateau Lafite to the most wealthy families of Europe. Lafite Rothschild went on to be recognized as the King's wine, thanks to the endorsement of royal families. Thomas Jefferson was a notable fan and customer.

After the French revolution (known as the Reign of Terror), Nicolas Pierre de Pichard was executed and this terminated the Segur family's possession of Lafite as in 1794, the residence became public property . In 1797 the property was sold to a group of Dutch traders.

It wasn't till 1868 that the vineyards were purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for a price of 4.4 million francs. It was then that the estate became Chateau Lafite. Regrettably Baron James passed away just three months after purchasing the renowned vineyard and Lafite became the property of his three sons Edmond, Alphonse and Gustave.

Throughout the 20th century there were ups and downs for Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The property was occupied by the German army during the Second World War who were responsible for the depletion of wines from the cellars of the estate.

In more recent times Lafite Rothschild has been less hindered , cementing its reputation as one of the world's finest wines. The record price paid for a bottle of wine was a 1787 bottle of Lafite which was owned by Thomas Jefferson. It was sold for $156,000 Sotheby's auction house .
Chateau Lafite is also a firm favourite in the Far East where the new found wealth has seen a tremendous surge in demand both for drinking and investment.

If you can afford to drink it Chateau Lafite Rothschild can be purchased at specialist wine merchants . Alternatively, why not hold on to it , Lafite can be a fantastic wine investment!
Enjoy!

By: MichaelT Devon

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You can procure Chateau Lafite and similarly superior Bordeaux wines from auction houses and classic Bordeaux vintners . Specialist wine shops, auction houses and Classic Bordeaux Vintners can be found in towns and cities throughout the world.

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