Chinese now faking lower end Lafite range

10,000 bottles of fake Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) wines were found this week by Chinese police. Contrary to reports there were no bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild itself – but large quantities of the company’s DBR Collection brands, which include Légends, Saga, and Réserve Spéciale.

It is believed that forgers are now less willing to fake high-end wines such as Lafite Rothschild, as the punishment for forgery in China is linked to the value of the goods, and death sentences have recently been handed down to forgers of the most expensive products. Instead forgers produce bottles from the lower-cost range of wines, but ensure that 'DBR Lafite' is prominent on the label.

There have been numerous cases of forged Lafite bottles over the past few years. DBR (Lafite) has also increased the security on its bottles, adding Prooftag labels to every bottle of Lafite Rothschild from the 2009 vintage, and to any older vintages that leave the Pauillac estate. The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, uses the same system, from the 2010 vintage.