Wood Wine Crate & Box Profiles: Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Sub-region: Pauillac

Classification: First Growth

Production: Approx. 20,000 cases per year

Grape: Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. The varietal percentages change a bit from vintage to vintage.

Crate design: Chateau Lafite Rothschild has the largest case production of all of the First Growth's; so it's not uncommon to acquire a 6 bottle crate, single bottle crate or 3 double-magnum crate when purchasing at private auction. The most common crate size still remains the 12 bottle size. The Lafite Rothschild logo and artwork is highly recognizable, and many wineries near Pauillac often mimic it on their crates.

Rarity: Very rare. Although many Lafite crates are produced every year, wealthy collector's and wine investors almost always store their original Lafite Rothschild wines in the original crate.

Crate designation: Exclusive Class First Growth ($100.00)

Our opinion: Chateaue Lafite Rothschild is known as the "King's Winery", and is considered the most regal First Growth. Lafite Rotshchild has been linked to wealth and high society for nearly a thousand years. Even today, the wealthiest men in the world seem to enjoy Lafite Rothschild more than any other wine.

Case in point: The Russian billionaire: Mikhail Prokhorov, had invited 60 minutes to his lavish home for dinner. The only wine served during all 7 courses was a variety of different vintage Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

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Wood Wine Crate & Box Profiles: Chateau Haut-Brion

Chateau Haut-Brion:

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Sub-region: Pessac-Leognan

Classification: First Growth

Production: 9,000 - 14,000 cases per year

Grape: 90% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a 10% split between Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Crate design: Haut-Brion has the most unique sized crate of all the Bordeaux wineries. It's very thick and chunky piece, similar to a 6 bottle flat but about twice the height. The inserts of an Haut-Brion crate are very attractive and can be removed very easily. Chateau Haut-Brion has the most simple design logo of the growths but it's highly recognized.

Rarity: Extremely rare. Haut-Brion produces the lowest amount of crates amongst the 1st Growths.

Crate designation: Exclusive Class First Growth ($100.00)

Our opinion: The Pessac Leognan region traces land cultivation for wine back to before Jesus Christ. Once the Roman Empire established a vineyard on what's known as Chateau Haut-Brion, they realized there had been grape cultivation for wine centuries before.

Although Haut-Brion has a great deal of historical significance, it's had a great many problems with it's various owners. Chateau Haut-Brion is owned by the Clarence Dillon Family Corporation, and it was purchased by the American buisnessman Clarence Dillon in 1935. It's one of the few Bordeaux wineries owned by an American.

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Wood Wine Crate & Box Profiles: Chateau Latour

Chateau Latour:

*A very rare Chateau Latour 3 bottle crate

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Sub-region: Pauillac

Classification: First Growth

Production: 16,000 - 20,000 cases per year

Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Crate design: Chateau Latour has the very ancient logo of the "Lionness of France" standing above Fort Castillon.

Rarity: Extremely rare. We have a great difficulty acquiring Latour crates. Although Latour produces the most cases amongst the other 4 First Growth's, they are the most sought after by major wine investors and collector's.

Crate designation: Exclusive Class First Growth ($100.00)

Our opinion: Chateau Latour has the most well-known historical story of all the First Growth's. The Latour logo is based on the legend of St. Joan of Arc. During the Hundred Year War between France and Britain, the Castillon fort was the last bastion of France's defense force. Joan of Arc stood atop the Castillon fort with her battlecry, and was able to break the lines of the British singlehandedly. This is how she became known as the "Lioness of France".

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