Chateau Lafon-Rochet Grand Cru 2020
(Saint Estèphe, Bordeaux, France) - [VM 96] [WE 94] [DM 94] [JD 93] [TWI 92] [WA 91+] [JS 91]

About the Winery:
Chateau Lafon-Rochet is a 4ème Cru Classé St-Estèphe estate. It was under the ownership for the Tesseron family from 1960 until 2021. The property had been neglected and Guy Tesseron extensively replanted; in 2021 it was acquired by the Lorenzetti family. After a 24-year stint at neighboring estate Château Lafite-Rothschild, Christophe Congé is now the Managing Director at Chateau Lafon-Rochet.

Enjoying a common soil with its neighbors Lafite Rothschild and Cos d'Estournel, Lafon-Rochet produces a well-recognized wine, combining power and smoothness. With the three typical varieties of the appellation on the 45 hectare property, and the specific tannins of Saint-Estèphe, it produces a fleshy wine that possesses a delicate bouquet with a clear balance; strong and tender at the same time. 

About the Wine:
Blend: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes:

Recent vintages here at this classed growth St Estéphe have been amongst the best ever. While slightly closed, the nose opens fine, elegant on red berries notes. The fruity attack with smooth tannins leads to a light finale.

Few more years of cellaring will benefit its already complex aromas.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb.” - Antonio Galloni (feb 2023)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Richly structured, powered by dark tannins and rich blackberry fruits, this estate has produced a very fine wine this vintage. The structure is considerable while keeping fruitiness and fine acidity in focus. The wine will certainly age well." - Roger Voss

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Crafted by former owner Basile Tesseron, the wine has a pleasingly silky, polished and smooth aspect, reflecting irresistible Cabernet-driven graphite and bright red and black fruit. Sheer pleasure! What I like most is the ripe polish without the modern gloss. Enjoy with baked aubergine or roast chicken." (Feb 2023)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Showing the pretty, elegant style of the vintage, the 2020 Chateau Lafon-Rochet exbibits a ruby/purple hue to go with a perfumed bouquet of ripe black cherries, spring flowers, graphite, and violets. Medium-bodied and elegant, with firm tannins, it needs 4-6 years of bottle age and should evolve for two decades in cold cellars. Best After 2027." (Mar 2023)

92 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Lafon-Rochet 2020 has a deep garnet-purple color. It slowly unfurls to offer notes of baked plums and stewed black cherries, leading to wafts of cassis, cedar, and cinnamon toast. The medium-bodied palate is bright and soft, with a lively backbone and spicy lift on the finish." - LPB (Mar 2023)

91+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Lafon-Rochet opens in the glass with aromas of cassis, plums and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep palate with good concentration, lively acids and plenty of powdery structuring tannin that asserts itself on the finish. This, too, is more structured than its 2019 counterpart and will require a bit of patience." 0 William Kelley (Apr 2023)

91 Points - James Suckling:
"Subtle dried spices and berries with chocolate undertones. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a savory finish. Fresh and bright. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in a year or two and onwards. (Dec 2022)