2025 Lafon Rochet
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Tasting notes
The 2025 Lafon-Rochet was picked from September 9 to 23 and matured in less new oak than usual, around 15%, with more foudres , 40%, including around one-third new from Stockinger and Taransaud. I think the influence of the new foudres is tangible on the nose and at the moment just masks a little of the fruit profile. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, classic and a little austere in style, very Saint-Estèphe with an off-dry finish. I would have liked just a little more sustain and complexity, but it delivers an attractive salinity on the aftertaste.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A serious, focused wine from this Saint-Estèphe château, the 2025 Château Lafon-Rochet offers darker, juicy blue fruits, leafy herbs, graphite, and liquid violets and spring flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's structured and concentrated, with integrated acidity and outstanding length. Based on 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that will spend 14 months in 15% new French oak with the balance in foudre and concrete tanks, it's a solid, more structured, yet still fleshy Lafon-Rochet that's going to benefit from bottle age.
A dense, chocolaty and focused red showing generous fruit and bark on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins. Textural, with nice concentration and a long, vivid, flavorful finish.
The 2025 Lafon-Rochet is classy and polished, as it so often is. Readers will find a Saint-Estèphe of nuance, delineation and understated class. Vibrant blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage and menthol are some of the many nuances that begin to open with some coaxing. This is classic Lafon-Rochet all the way. Tasted two times.
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.