2020 Château Lafon-Rochet
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Tasting notes
This is a swarthy Lafon-Rochet, full of dark bramble and blackcurrant fruit, with aromas of almost curried spice, cloves and violets. The palate has a gorgeously silken mouth-feel, seeming plush even at this youthful stage. There’s a real weight of fruit with a wave of freshness and the firm, present tannins – beautifully ripe and integrated. There’s a compact core to the wine – packed full of bramble fruit and salinity. There’s a pepper and floral freshness to balance a slightly chocolatey density to the finish. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Basile Tesseron’s last vintage. Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Rather reluctant on the nose. Dark and savoury impression. Lightly leafy. On the palate, this is lovely: smooth, refined tannins and a dark elegance overall. Lots of finesse and a long finish. (JH)
The 2020 Lafon-Rochet has a very delineated and fresh bouquet of marine-infused black fruit, crushed stone and a touch of pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of fruit concentration and real weight in the mouth. Notes of black pepper and red fruit linger through the persistent yet backward finish. This will require serious aging. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
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.
About the producer
Instantly recognisable for its sunshine-yellow château and labels, Ch. Lafon-Rochet is a Fourth Growth Saint-Estèphe estate renowned for its age-worthy wines. Quality at the property has increased significantly over the last two decades and, with new owners from 2021, this will only continue.