Chateau Lafon Rochet 2018 (Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)
Chateau Lafon Rochet
Chateau lafon rochet in st. Estephe dates back to the middle of the 17th century. The estate was founded in 1650, when antoinette de guillemotte, brought the land of rochette as her dowry to her husband, pierre de lafon. Pierre de lafon was well-known in the region as he was a member of the bordeaux parliament. Shortly after they were married, following the custom of the day, taking the family name the property was renamed, chateau lafon rochet and a new estate was born.
While many bordeaux vineyards were confiscated during the french revolution, that did not happen to lafon rochet. In fact, the left bank estate remained the property of the same family for more than two centuries. In 1880, madame lafon de camarsac died. Her death caused lafon rochet to fall into disrepair. That all changed in 1959 when the tesseron family purchased the estate and completely renovated lafon rochet from top to bottom. This was something that had to be done as most of the original buildings were in such bad shape, they could no longer be used. The vineyard also needed extensive replanting. At the time of the purchase, the vineyard was only 17 hectares. Through replanting and subsequent purchases, the estate has more than doubled in size since the tesseron family took control of the property. That marked the start of the modern era for chateau lafon rochet.
SKU
LRTS201810 UCAU
$109.20
Per item
Price:
The upper Médoc did brilliantly in 2018, and that's certainly apparent when tasting the 2018 Château Lafon-Rochet. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe black and blue fruits, lead pencil, forest floor, chocolate, and leafy herbs, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't quite have the precision of the top wines in the appellation, but it's loaded with charm and character, and I'd certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle. This rich, textured, flavorful Saint-Estèphe will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for two decades
- James Suckling
The upper Médoc did brilliantly in 2018, and that's certainly apparent when tasting the 2018 Château Lafon-Rochet. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe black and blue fruits, lead pencil, forest floor, chocolate, and leafy herbs, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't quite have the precision of the top wines in the appellation, but it's loaded with charm and character, and I'd certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle. This rich, textured, flavorful Saint-Estèphe will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for two decades
- James Suckling
Scores & Reviews
17 / 20
Matthew Jukes
This is a super-succulent Lafon-Rochet with fleshy Cabernet fruit which is nicely weighted with just the right amount of oak and spice. The nose is beautiful and there are mulberry notes overlaying the cassis core. A lip-smacking wine, which adds crisp tannins and bright acidity to its ingredients, this is undoubtedly another Saint-Estèphe winner in 2018.
94 / 100
James Suckling
The upper Médoc did brilliantly in 2018, and that's certainly apparent when tasting the 2018 Château Lafon-Rochet. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe black and blue fruits, lead pencil, forest floor, chocolate, and leafy herbs, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't quite have the precision of the top wines in the appellation, but it's loaded with charm and character, and I'd certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle. This rich, textured, flavorful Saint-Estèphe will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for two decades
94 / 100
Decanter
I presume Basile Tesseron is feeling pretty relieved that he decided not to continue with organics in February 2018, as the ability to be more flexible with treatments proved pretty important during the rest of the season. The result is very good, full of juice and life, with crunchy blackberry and cassis fruits that are up there in expression with the 2016. It has clear quality, but is also pretty austere, with good slate minerality and touches of hedgerow. It feels like a wine with good life ahead and something to say. 4% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend.