Appellations

Lafon Rochet 2022

St Estephe, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

New team under ex-Lafite winemaker Christophe Congé (who will be heading to sibling estate Pédéslaux for the 2025 vintage), there is plenty happening at Lafon Rochet, and this is intense enjoyable, well put together, slight rustic tannins on the finish that emphasise their edges a little more than during En Primeur, but this seems set for the long haul, and is balanced by plentiful black fruits. 50% new oak for ageing, 60% 1st wine, down from 70% in 2021, as the new team focuses heavily on quality.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2040 Date: 06 March 2025

The 2022 Lafon-Rochet was bottled in June 2024. This has a delightful, well-defined bouquet with pure aromas of blackberry and blueberry with touches of iris flower percolating through. This is nicely controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. It is "old-school" Lafon-Rochet in a way and introspective compared to others, with firm grip. This is "serious" with a tannic, slightly briny finish. Give this three to five years in bottle.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2050 Date: 12 February 2025

The 2022 Lafon-Rochet is pure class. Silky, aromatic and gracious, Lafon-Rochet is quite possibly the most under-the-radar Saint-Estèphe. Bright blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, mint and spice are all beautifully delineated. A wine of sublime elegance and class, Lafon-Rochet is exquisite in 2022.

Score: 96 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2028-2047 Date: 28 January 2025

One of the bigger, more structured wines in Saint-Estèphe, the 2022 Château Lafon-Rochet checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Ripe blackcurrants, smoky blue fruits, scorched earth, and chocolate all define the aromatics, and this concentrated, medium to full-bodied, powerful wine has ample mid-palate depth, ripe yet significant tannins, and a great finish. It's not for the instant gratification crowd and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, of cellaring. It's a beautiful wine though, worthy of purchasing and cellaring.

Score: 93 - 95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 05 October 2023

The inaugural vintage for winemaker Christophe Congé, the 2022 Lafon-Rochet is an ambitiously styled blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Offering up aromas of crème de cassis, burning embers and loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and velvety, with supple, generously extracted tannins and a rather lavish, demonstrative profile. It's a wine crafted to grab one's attention, but if élevage is kind to it, it may make my score seem conservative.

Score: 90 - 92 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 28 April 2023

This shows a terrific tannin backbone with blackcurrants and berries. Medium body. Solid fruit. Vivid. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.

Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 11 April 2023