Château Lafon Rochet - Saint-Estèphe 2005

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

Dense ruby/purple and still youthful and exuberant, with oodles of cassis and incense, the 2005 Lafon-Rochet is medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin and a long finish. Just becoming approachable, this wine should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years.

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

the10/20/2014

Voilà un sacré coureur de fond qui s'ouvre à peine. Le vin demeure serré, mais avec une belle réserve de puissance. Patience...

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/12/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has a fine blackberry, cedar-infused nose with good definition – tightly coiled and certainly needing more time. Very good concentration, fine tannins, quite succulent for a Saint Estephe but very well poised with fine sense of mineralité on the finish. Imbued with femininity, which is unusual. Good depth and cohesion. This remains an excellent Lafon-Rochet although its still needs time. Drink 2015-2025. Tasted January 2009.

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

the9/30/2008

Nez particulièrement fondu, mûr et raffiné ; bouche savoureuse et très harmonieuse, avec du fruit et une grande allonge. Belle réussite.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good red-ruby. Very ripe aromas of musky currant , black raspberry, camphor and tobacco leaf. Round and plump for St. Estephe, with noteworthy volume and seamless texture; sweeter by far than the chateau's 2007 or 2006 samples but possesses harmonious framing acidity. Finishes with broad tannins that arrive late. A big success.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

At present, this structured, backward 2005 is dominated by the vintage’s substantial tannins. It exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, a reticent but promising bouquet of sweet black fruits intermixed with weedy tobacco, licorice, and leather characteristics. Medium-bodied and powerful, with excruciating tannin, but promising potential, patience is most definitely required. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

La Revue du Vin de France

17.50 / 20

the11/30/2007

Le meilleur vin du château depuis vingt ans : éclat de fruit superbe, fraîcheur et équilibre en bouche, précis sur la finale.

Jancis Robinson

16.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Toaty oak initially, then a welcome dense, tense freshness with fine black fruit. Tannins pretty firm at the moment but well balanced overall.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

A dark ruby/purple color and a bouquet of plums, black raspberries, licorice, roasted herbs, and incense are followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich, structured, backward wine that requires 6-10 years of bottle age. It should drink well for two decades. For some reason, Lafon Rochet remains under-priced for the quality of wines it is producing.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2006

(60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot) Bright medium ruby. Thoroughly ripe but sappy aromas of kirsch and licorice. Dense, sweet and fresh, with rather suave, lively dark berry flavors and impressive breadth. Finishes with big, sweet, palate-dusting tannins and lively lingering black fruit flavors. Avoids hardness but will need time in bottle. Wait until 2013.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

Although it does not yet display much complexity, this stunning, opaque purple-colored wine exhibits sweet creme de cassis fruit, enormous concentration, loads of tannin, and superb purity as well as length. A medium to full-bodied, structured effort, it will require time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16.50 / 20

the4/13/2006

La couleur est sombre, pourpre, intense et le nez sent bon les épices. En bouche, la douceur de la chair fait merveille. Le vin évolue puissant et aérien à la fois. Il s'achève long et séveux sur des tanins fins et beaucoup de goût. Il a échappé à la rudesse du millésime à Saint Estèphe cette année. Je pense que l'élevage va le glorifier. Il est moins en force mais plus en douceur que Clos Labory.