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Since 1960 Chateau Lafon Rochet has been owned by the Tesseron family. The family has received international fame from their Cognac label, Tesseron, and the skyrocketing quality around their other Chateau, Pontet Canet. Although Lafon Rochet is not to be outshined by Pontet Canet, few produce wine on the same level, and none do it for this price as Lafon Rochet. 

At Lafon-Rochet, 41 hectares of vines cover two ridges of Saint-Estephe. The soil is composed of gravel and clay. On one hand, the gravel provides excellent natural drainage. On the other, the clay regulates the water flow and provides the vines with the necessary quantities. 

The vineyard is mostly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with small Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot plots, which provide pleasant surprises for some vintages. The youngest vines for this “Grand Vin” are at least 35 years old; the oldest vines, date as far back as 1938. The old vines produce less fruit but add great complexity to the wines. One set to music, these grape varieties make up the estate’s wines’ score. 

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 95 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A new paradigm for Bordeaux. Very aromatic and sleek, fresh and pure in feel, with all major varietals performing well; far more consistent than the 2018-2020 trio."

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It opens with vibrant aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, lavender, and mint, giving way to deeper notes of dark chocolate, cigar box, and graphite. The palate is full-bodied, silky, and gracious, with juicy fruit and a supple, yet structured mouthfeel. It’s a wine of balance, with a sleek tension and rich layers of red cherries, blackberries, and a subtle liquorice edge.

The 2022 Lafon-Rochet is pure class. Silky, aromatic and gracious, Lafon-Rochet is quite possibly the most under-the-radar Saint-Estèphe. Bright blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, mint and spice are all beautifully delineated. A wine of sublime elegance and class, Lafon-Rochet is exquisite in 2022. ~96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

An exceptional wine in 2022. Fresh and fragrant lovely strawberry and red cherry notes on the nose. Smooth and round, generous and deep, a lovely immediate intensity of flavour while keeping a sleek and tense expression. Gorgeous weight in the mouth, supple, and nicely fruited but with density and roundness. Feels really well worked, so defined and detailed, a lovely precision. Nothing feels out of place and it has a very drinkable and approachable quality, still with a dark liquorice and dark chocolate edge and some graphite touches. Extremely complete and well made with control and finesse. Total acidity: 3.35. 3.77pH. ~95 Decanter

Rocking notes of currants, leafy tobacco, cassis, graphite, and crushed stone nuances all emerge from the 2022 Château Lafon-Rochet, a seriously good, concentrated, powerful expression from this château that has beautiful purity, ripe, building, yet substantial tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need some time, but this is brilliant. ~95 Jeb Dunnuck

This is gorgeous from start to finish. Supple, lush, and creamy, the wine is full-bodied, intense, long, and complex. The layers of fruit, with their length, and purity make a statement on your palate. This is one of those wines that one sniff, and sip, is not enough. You will need to try it again for the pleasure. The finish offers, length, and lift, which is the perfect backdrop for all the polished, blackberries, black cherries, chocolate, and spice. The wine blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. This is the first vintage with the new owner, Jackie Lorenzetti, and the team of Emmanuel Cruse fully in charge. They're off to a great start as this is without a doubt, the best vintage of Lafon Rochet ever produced! Drink from 2028-2050. ~95 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Deep and ripe but still very demure on the nose, with dark chocolate, cigar box, blackcurrants, white pepper and a touch of graphite. Very juicy and nicely chewy on the palate, with a full body and a tight, lengthy finish. This won’t be approachable until 2029. ~94 James Suckling

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