Château Lafon Rochet - Saint-Estèphe 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 31/08/2014

Good full medium ruby. Vibrant blackcurrant, cherry pit, botanical herbs and violet on the nose, lifted by subtle hints of juniper and minerals. Silky, suave and pure, offering very good intensity to the fruit-driven flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. Nicely integrated acidity gives this wine a light touch. Finishes with fine tannins and excellent lift and verve.

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

par Robert Parker le 02/05/2014

A well-made sleeper of the vintage, Lafon Rochet’s 2011 exhibits a dense ruby/plum color in addition to sweet cassis, earth and spice notes, medium body, excellent depth and light to moderate tannin. It should drink nicely for a decade or more.

Jamessuckling.com

88 / 100

par James Suckling le 19/02/2014

Some berry and cherry character with light prune, fig and spice character. Hazelnuts, too. Medium body and a chewy finish. Needs a few years to soften: try in 2017.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

par James Molesworth le 11/02/2014

This has a chunky feel, with charcoal and cassis bush notes out front, followed by plum skin, steeped black currant and blackberry coulis flavors. A charcoal hint strides back in on the finish, with fresh acidity buried throughout. Should age well. Best from 2015 through 2021.

Terres de Vins

15,4 / 20

le 01/02/2014

Complexe, délié, ce Saint-Estèphe est parfaitement dans le sujet. Dense, droit, puissant, relevé d'un élevage judicieux qui n'écrase pas la matière, il joue l'ambition avec conviction; voilà enfin un grand cru abordable, à un prix plus que décents!

La Revue du Vin de France

15,5-16,5 / 20

le 31/05/2012

Le cru a été victime du violent orage de grêle qui a frappé l'appellation début septembre. Le vin est donc issu d'un petit rendement et d'un sélection importante. Il s'avère de bon niveau, avec une jolie maturité de fruit. Gourmand.

Le Point

15,5 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 17/05/2012

Epices, fruits noirs, bouche souple, ronde, moelleuse, assez épicé, gourmand, frais, vif, très fondu, finale accrocheuse. Donnera un vin tendre et friand. O= 2017 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 12/05/2012

Deep, fully saturated purple-ruby. Herbs, coffee, blackberry and minerals on the nose. Enters rich dense and juicy, but turns austere on the back end, finishing with moderately complex blackberry and blackcurrant flavors and good persistence. The finish is clean and pure, no easy accomplishment due to the hail that hit the vineyards at the beginning of September. This is very well made but lacks a little generosity. Basil Tesseron and his father Michel did a great job in this difficult year: stay tuned for some exciting developments at this property in the near future.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

par René Gabriel le 07/05/2012

Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Fein würziges Bouquet, viel Zedern und auch Tabak, dunkle Kirschentöne dahinter. Im Gaumen kompakt mit einer schmelzigen Süsse um den Körper herum, viel schwarzbeerige Aromen, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, geniales, nachhaltiges Finale. Dieser ungewöhnlich grosse Lafon-Rocht schmeckt wie ein legendärer Jahrgang. Charaktervoller, lagerfähiger Saint Estèphe, der viele teurere Crus überragt. Bravo! 2020-2046

Decanter.com

17 / 20

le 30/04/2012

Very well extracted blackcurrant fruit, rich yet firm, still showing some hard edges, but very good middle fruit for the future. Drink 2016-2028.

Wine Advocate

85-87 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2012

This property must have had some hail damage, as the 2011 seems lighter than normal (and I tasted it on three separate occasions). The color is a healthy dense ruby/plum and there is an attractive, up-front bouquet, but the wine is medium-bodied, somewhat superficial, fresh and fruity. It is ideal for drinking in its first 7-8 years of life.

TAST

17 / 20

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2012

Forte couleur, saveur ample et caractéristique de cèdre, terroir fortement marqué, beaucoup d'énergie, excellente vinification et sélection rigoureuse.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 27/04/2012

Deep in color with coffee, smoke and black cherry scents. Ripe tannins and sweet, ripe black cherry and plums are found in the round finish. 88-90 Pts

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

par Neal Martin le 27/04/2012

A blend of 33% Merlot and practically the rest is Cabernet Sauvignon. This sample does not include the vin de presse that was a little too rough at the moment, though usually it constitutes 3-4%. It has a ripe blackberry and briary bouquet with very fine delineation with a hint of oyster shell. The palate has a little hardness and grittiness on the entry and slightly brusque tannins. It is missing a little substance in the middle and second half, where the vin de presse might add a little weight. Tasted April 2012 (87-89? points)