| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Recent vintages here at this classed growth St Estephe have been amongst the best ever with the latest generation of the family - Basile Tesseron - now in charge of the property. The new consultant is the legendary Jean-Claude Berrouet of Chateau Petrus - his first job on the left bank. This striking property, with its yellow walls, is just along the road from Cos d'Estournel and overlooks the vineyards of Lafite. En primeur prices remain reasonable. The 40 hectare vineyard is planted 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
From: Bordeaux 2019: The Southwold Tasting (Feb 2023)
The 2019 Lafon-Rochet is tightly-wound on the nose, yet it seems delineated and focused, mineral-laden black fruit, sous-bois and dried tobacco scents unfurling in the glass. The palate is impressive with good concentration on the entry. This has an arching structure, fine acidity, off dry and slightly austere on the finish, but there is clearly the substance to ensure that it will age with style. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
- By Neal Martin on January 2023
Drink 2026-2050
The 2019 Lafon-Rochet has turned out nicely in bottle, mingling aromas of blackberries and red fruits with hints of violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, it's a bright, precise wine, with plenty of depth and structure to support sustained bottle age, but with enough modern polish to temper any suggestion of structural asperity. Drink 2025-2055.
Bright ruby colour. Cool and savoury, with tones of camphor and cedar together with fresh hedgerow fruit. The palate is midweight, with a compact core of fresh black and ripe red fruit. There is an earthy, savoury tone throughout and chalky, firm tannins that are to be expected from St Estephe. This is a classically proportioned, vibratn and well made wine, one for lovers of structure and savour.
Ripe blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of sweet tobacco, walnuts and dark chocolate. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and lingering crushed-stone character. Firm finish with some nuttiness to it. Bold and solid, classic St.-Estephe. Try after 2026.
Tasted blind. Looks reasonably evolved. Lots going on here with real fruity attack and a rather drying, hot finish. Needs quite a bit of time. 14%
Drink 2030– 2045
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Black core. Very dark and charry on the nose. Savoury though there's no lack of black fruit. Dark, rocky elegance. Big tannic presence but not aggressive. (JH) 14%
Drink 2032 – 2045
Vibrant ruby purple in the glass. Mineral and cool on the nose, with hints of graphite, fresh blackcurrant and blackcurrant leaf. This is compact and fresh, with chunky, grippy tannins and dark cherry fruits at the core. Lithe and lifted through to a crunchy finish.
Brilliant stuff, the 2019 Château Lafon-Rochet shows the best of the vintage with its pure, precise, elegant, yet at the same time concentrated style. Showing lots of ripe currant, plum, tobacco, Asian spice, and cedar pencil aromatics, it's medium to full-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity, and just seamless tannins. It's beautifully done and well worth seeking out. It's going to evolve for 20-25+ years.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Dark and subdued but very fresh. Adequate fruit but long and linear with plenty of drive. Good persistence and lovely palate-cleansing finish. (JL)
Drink 2027 – 2038
The purity of fruit and balance in this young St.-Estephe is really beautiful with crushed-currant, stone and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins and a pretty finish. We will see if this is better than the 2018 or not.
