Almanac 1868-2018 | Saskia De Rothschild

The winemakers Éric and Saskia de Rothschild guide readers through 150 vintages of Château Lafite, sharing scientific and climatic data as well as visual memories since the family's arrival in 1868. Over the past 150 years, six generations of the Rothschild family have dedicated themselves to the wine-making tradition, developing the reputation of Château Lafite and transforming this premier Grand Cru classé into a benchmark for great Bordeaux wines. Discover how this happened and what truly lies behind the Lafite label through the stories of the close-knit team of men and women who care for Lafite wines. A timeline presenting each of the 150 vintages includes informative tasting notes, weather aspects, and the grape blends that define each vintage. A historical gem has been unearthed each year: from the harvesters' menu in 1922 to portraits by master photographers like Robert Doisneau, Richard Avedon, and Paolo Roversi. An original fold-out illustration by M/M Paris traces the winemaker's activity month by month from vine to wine. The story of Lafite—illustrated here through historical documents, press clippings, and photographs—combines deep respect for tradition with a commitment to evolving with the times, protecting Lafite's unique, vibrant, and evolving heritage for the next 150 years. Introduction Lafite has been in our family for 150 years; generation after generation, Lafite has been loved, cherished, and enjoyed with joy and respect. This is easily understood, for Lafite embodies gentleness, the gentleness of its wine, its slopes, its light. Lafite seduces you with its charm that miraculously works on those who walk through its vineyards, linger in its cellars, visit its château, roam its marshes, and, of course, those who let its wine flow into their mouths. This wonderful almanac was conceived by my daughter Saskia, who today watches over this jewel with tenderness but also with care and intelligence. It achieves the feat of summarizing 150 years of change but also continuity, wars, peace, sublime vintages—some dating back to the time of the estate's purchase still have the power to charm—beautiful seasons, and disastrous weather... It reviews the joys and disappointments, the visits of the greats of this world, not to mention the memorable Saint Vincent's Day celebrations that bring together all the property's teams. May Saskia be deeply thanked for this work, as well as all those who, today, make Lafite: its wonderful winemakers and cellar men. They have passed down a thousand anecdotes, but also their learned and infused knowledge. And while becoming increasingly knowledgeable, they are today more and more concerned about the fate of our planet. All have contributed and continue to breathe life into this legendary estate. Eric de Rothschild