Castle Lafon Rochet - Saint-Estèphe 2001

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2004

Performing much better than it did from barrel, Lafon-Rochet’s 2001 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color along with complex aromas of underbrush, melted licorice, black fruits, and tree bark. Smooth, polished tannins are found in this medium to full-bodied, monolithic but attractive, well-endowed St.-Estephe. It is revealing more aromatic development and depth than I originally suspected. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2013.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

Very fresh and aromatic, with licorice, violet and light vanilla character. Full-bodied, with a super core of fruit and fantastically silky tannins. Lovely finish. Best after 2007. 10,415 cases made.

Wine Advocate

85-87 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

A charming soft, mid-weight effort, Lafon-Rochet's 2001 lacks the volume and depth that one expects in the top vintages. Dark ruby/purple, with an elegant, pleasant nose offering up scents of compost, underbrush, cherries, currants, and damp earth, this wine has soft tannin, low acidity, and above-average concentration. Anticipated maturity: now-2014.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

The 2001 offers a dark ruby/purple color, good acidity, medium body, moderate tannin, and a tangy, vivacious personality. If it were not for a pinched, compressed finish, I would have rated it higher. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015.