Lafon Rochet 2021

St Estephe, Fourth Growth

Excel download

View All Vintages of this Wine

Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
Tasting Notes

Quite luscious and almost more luscious than the St-Estèphe norm. Although it finishes on a distinctly stony note. Set for the long term with no shortage of character or ripe fruit. Persistence is pretty impressive! This is almost a 17 though for the moment the finish is a little bit pinched.

Score: 16+

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2029-2045 11 May 2022

A firm and linear wine with blackberry and blackcurrant character. Medium body. Creamy. Focused for the vintage. Turns to plums and citrus at the end. From organically grown grapes. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 May 2022

The 2021 Lafon-Rochet was picked from 27 September to 8 October with no break between the varieties. There was just a small green harvest resulting in yields of 30hL/ha. It was matured in 50% new oak. It has a tightly wound, backward bouquet with blackberry, briar and graphite scents, quite Pauillac in style (you might see the irony in that). The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, quite firm with a solid backbone. Fresh and slightly muscular on the finish. Fine, but not quite as chiselled as others this year. 13% alcohol.

Score: 88 - 90

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2040 01 May 2022

The 2021 Lafon-Rochet is a wine of notable precision. It will be interesting to see if it gains a bit more flesh in élevage. Today, the 2021 is decidedly lithe in feel. Crushed flowers, mint, rose petal and bright acids lend energy to a core of red berry fruit. Captivating in its inner perfume and elegance, Lafon-Rochet is the most Pauillac-like of the Saint-Estèphes.

Score: 91 - 93

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2031-2046 01 May 2022

The last vintage produced under the Tesseron family, the 2021 Lafon-Rochet exhibits aromas of dark berries, plums, licorice and spices, followed by a medium-bodied, lively and succulent palate that's fleshy and layered, framed by powdery tannins. A charming, supple effort, it will drink well on release.

Score: 89 - 91

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 29 April 2022

Saline and linear, blueberry and raspberry fruits, with a touch of greengage and raspberry leaf that suggests things are just skirting ripenss. Floral aromatics lift things up as it travels through the palate, but the finish is soft and a little diluted. Plenty of change happening at this 41ha estate that is located just over the border from Pauillac, next to Lafite and Cos d'Estournel, with Jacky Lorenzetti arriving as new owner in January 2022, and Christophe Congé appointed technical director a few months later, arriving from Lafite, making 2021 a transition vintage - particularly difficult in such a tough year. 32hl/h yield, 70% 1st wine. 2nd year in official conversion to organic, wll be certified with 2023 vintage. Harvest 27 to October 8. 30hl/h yield, 50% new oak. Tasted twice.

Score: 88

Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com 07 April 2022

Tasted on numerous occasions, the 2021 Château Lafon-Rochet has solid, yet slightly reserved aromatics of darker, almost blue fruits and some classic tobacco and lead pencil. It opens up with air and is medium-bodied, with a classic, focused style (I said “Pauillac” in my notes), notable balance, and a great finish. The blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Petit Verdot.

Score: 90 - 92

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 06 February 2022