Lafon Rochet - Saint-Estèphe 2023

Vinous

91

par Neal Martin le 01/02/2026

The 2023 Lafon-Rochet is much more intense and fresher than the Pélerins, graphite- and tobacco-tinged black fruit, just a light floral note in the background. Well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry, fine tannins, classic in style with quite a liberal sprinkling of cracked black pepper. Quite graphite-driven on the finish, afford this three or four years in bottle to get the most from it.

Jamessuckling.com

93

par James Suckling le 27/01/2026

A timid nose of blackberries, tobacco, herbal notes and thyme. The medium-bodied palate has dark fruit and firm, evenly distributed tannins, with a saline touch. Structured and attractive. A blend of 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. Better in 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

90-91

par Bettane & Desseauve le 15/05/2024

Bon corps, dense et sérieux, fruité noir mûr très typé saint-estèphe, reste encore un peu de rigueur dans le tannin qui l’élevage se chargera d’affiner.

Yvesbeck.wine

90-93

par Yves Beck le 14/05/2024

Der Bouquet des Pèlerins vereint gleich zu Beginn mineralische und fruchtige Nuancen. Auch wenn er im Auftakt etwas zurückhaltend ist, kann sich der Wein dank der wertvollen Unterstützung seiner Tannine mit seinem mittleren Gaumen rühmen. Auf der Geschmacksebene muss er noch an aromatischer Ausdruckskraft gewinnen und verfügt über alle Komponenten, um dies zu erreichen. Ein harmonischer, frischer Wein, der noch etwas Zeit braucht.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

par Jeff Leve le 06/05/2024

Blackberries, black cherries, spice, and tobacco leaves with a touch of spice fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, soft, and polished with ripe, brisk tannins, and a chewy, fresh, peppery finish. The wine was made from blending 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.35%. This is only the second vintage with the new owner, Jackie Lorenzetti, and the team of Emmanuel Cruse fully in charge. Drink from 2028-2045. 92-94 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

par Jane Anson le 06/05/2024

Confident colour extraction, this is dark ruby but nuanced, with vibrant reflections. After two years with Christophe Congé as director, you are starting to see more precision and focus in the constructino of the wine, with blackberry and bilberry fruits set against slate and smoked earth. Balanced alcohols, firm taninins. All four varieties in the blend.

Vinous

93-95

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2024

The 2023 Lafon-Rochet is a promising wine. Today, it shows terrific depth, driven by an elevated presence of Cabernet Sauvignon and a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. Dark blue-toned fruit, lavender, licorice and dried herbs show tons of character. There's plenty of Lafon-Rochet finesse, but with an added kick of textural richness not found in the wines made during the Tesseron era. This comes together beautifully with a bit of time in the glass.

Vinous

91-93

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2024

The 2023 Lafon-Rochet was picked from September 13 to October 5 at 42hL/ha with no saignée. It contains 4% Petit Verdot, as there was more water during the growing season (which Petit Verdot needs_. Matured in 40% new oak, this has quite an intense bouquet with mainly black fruit, hints of graphite and chimney soot, nicely focused though it needs time to absorb the wood. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame the layered blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with white pepper and pencil shavings. This errs slightly toward Pauillac on the finish, which is no surprise given its proximity. Displaying moderate length, this is a fine but grippy, denser Lafon-Rochet that should give 20 years or more of drinking pleasure.

Falstaff

92

par Peter Moser le 29/04/2024

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Dark plum fruit, black cherries, fine savouriness, candied oranges. Firm, tightl-knit minerality, red cherries, vivid tannins, red berryish nuances in the finish, delicate leafy touch, a good food wine.

The Wine Independent

91-93

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 28/04/2024

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet leaps with vibrant notes of kirsch, cranberry preserves, and fresh blackberries leading to hints of bay leaves, graphite, and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is lively and lightly chewy, with great tension adding sparkle to the red and black berry layers, finishing with an herbal lift. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.75.

Alexandre Ma

92-94

par Alexandre Ma le 28/04/2024

Wine Advocate

91-93

par William Kelley le 26/04/2024

Generous and layered, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet offers up aromas of blackberries, cassis, incense and burning embers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping palate that's gourmand and charming, concluding with a gently minty finish. Like the 2023, this represents a richer, more demonstrative style for this Saint-Estèphe property, where Christophe Congé and his team are rehabilitating the vineyards.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

par James Suckling le 25/04/2024

This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH.

Vertdevin

95

par Jonathan Chicheportiche le 24/04/2024