Chateau Lafon-Rochet 2020 Saint-Estephe 375ml《FH055C》

Château Lafon-Rochet is located in Saint-Estèphe in Bordeaux’s Médoc region, classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855. Laguna Cellar +3 Wikipedia +3 lanigan-edwards.com +3  The estate has a storied history, having undergone reconstruction and revitalization, especially after the Tesseron family took over and invested in modernization. lanigan-edwards.com +2 The Wine Cellar Insider +2  From 2021 onward, ownership passed to Jacky Lorenzetti’s family, with Emmanuel Cruse appointed as estate director, ushering in new strategic direction and vineyard management.

Saint-Estèphe is one of the northern Médoc appellations, known for producing wines with structure and depth. Its proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates climate while preserving freshness. Wine-Searcher +4 The Wine Cellar Insider +4 Laguna Cellar +4  At Lafon-Rochet, vineyard soils are a complex mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone. In strong vintages, these soils help produce concentrated fruit with elegant mineral character. Flatiron Wines & Spirits NYC +3 lanigan-edwards.com +3 The Wine Cellar Insider +3  This 2020 version nicely expresses the appellation’s signature tension — strength tempered by elegance, with good balance and ageing potential.

The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb.

【James Suckling 93-94 pts】

Blackberry and spice with firm, chewy tannins that show polish and focus. It’s medium-to full-bodied with excellent energy. Blackberry and blackcurrant character on the finish with a touch of cedar and spice.

【Wine Advocate 91+ pts】

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.

【Jancis Robinson 17 pts】

Full bottle an admirably light 1,290 g. Cask sample taken 6 April. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Deep lustrous purplish crimson. Interesting vitality to the nose, almost as though biodynamic techniques were employed here. Lovely balance of ripeness and vitality. This is a very successful 2020. It may be dismissed by some because the tannins are not obvious but it's a delightful drink – already! Very distinctive. Perhaps not for seriously long-term cellaring but well done Basile Tesseron for producing something so appetising and groundbreaking. The finish is impressively persistent. (JR)