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Lafon Rochet 2009

St Estephe, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

This wine seems to be one of the few that has not yet recovered from bottling. In a somewhat monolithic, latched-down style, it has plenty of stuffing, lots of structure and an impressive dark ruby/purple color, but it is very hard to coax from the glass. It is a rather classic St.-Estephe made by the Tesseron family, with its distinctive blood orange label, but this wine seems to beg for another 5-7 years of bottle age. The final blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc has some impressive fruit, but the wine just seems slightly more clipped and narrow than I remember it from barrel. Hopefully, time will mellow out this impression. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035.

Score: 90

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2035 01 March 2012

Perhaps the finest Lafon Rochet ever made, the purity, freshness, and sweet, rich, blueberry and boysenberry fruit and hint of pen ink that are found in this opaque purple-colored wine are impressive. Massive in the mouth, with freshness, delineation, and sweet tannin, it is a major sleeper of the vintage that should last for 25+ years. (Tasted two times.)

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-35 01 April 2010

Black red, colour sticks to the glass, big smoky Cabernet cassis nose, excellent natural concentration, intense yet lifted fruit, lots of succulence and lots of grip, a really well-expressed, well-made wine with a very good future. Drink 2015-30. (17.5 points)

Score: 17 - 18

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 April 2010

Very dark. A slightly burnt note. Very much taken to the limit. A bit awkward in terms of tannins but with refreshment. 16.5 points

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2028 01 April 2010

This property is owned by the Tesseron family (also of Pontet Canet) though it is now managed by the next generation, Michel's son Basile. Rich wild berry nose, moderate weight of Cabernet fruit and flesh. Nicely concentrated with fresh acidity and an angular finish.

Score: 89 - 92

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Currant and spices on the nose follow through to a medium body, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Solid structure

Score: 89 - 92

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

A sample taken on 23rd March tasted at the property. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% vin de presse, a pH of 3.65 and alcohol 13.5% with 50% matured in new oak. This has a tightly wound that unfurls nicely over 15 minutes, a nice minerality here, really exposed at the moment. Blackberry, a touch of raspberry, wild hedgerow, very pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied, firm tannins, quite tight at the moment, very focused, gentle grip, and racy acidity towards the finish. Very Cabernet dominated finish, more structure than usual thanks to the higher percentage, perhaps just needing to flesh out on the finish, although that should come with extended barrel ageing. (N.B. A second sample at a negoçiant showed more flesh and suppleness towards the finish) Tasted March 2010.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 29 March 2010