Carruades de Lafite is the 'Second' wine of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. This wine is made from barrels of wine from the vintage that are not used in the blending of the 'First' wine of the Chateau. These barrels of wine are not necessarily of lower quality than the ones that are used for the primary wine of the Chateau. Instead, they are 'extra' in that they do not fit with the taste characteristics of that year's blend. Carruades de Lafite almost alwasys has a higher percentage of Merlot in the blend. There are also specific plots of vineyard land that are always used in the production of Carruades. (You could also read that as saying that these particular plots are Never used in the production of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.)
