Château LAFON-ROCHET
4ème grand cru classé

This 45-hectare estate (in a single block to the south of Saint-Estèphe), famous for its Tuscan yellow façade and label, was acquired by Mr Lorenzetti in 2021. Knowing the investments made and the care given to the other crus in his stable of grands crus (Lilian-Ladouys, Pédesclaux and d'Issan), there is no doubt that Lafon-Rochet will shine with new lustre from the 2022 vintage, while remaining very affordable among its peers.

Since 2022 and the arrival of new cellar master M. Congé (ex-Lafite-Rothschild), Lafon-Rochet has shown more depth of flesh than in the past, while retaining the unctuousness and fruity brightness that are its signature features, thanks to its high Merlot content (40%).  

See the technical sheet

Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Pour ce deuxième millésime, [...] le cru affine son style, avec une recherche de densité supplémentaire, tout en respectant l’équilibre et l’éclat de son fruit. Un vin aux contours nets et à la bouche droite. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « 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. »
Le Point : 17/20 « Mûre, baies noires. Bouche juteuse, souple. Bon milieu de bouche, épicé, tendu. Gain de finesse. »
Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et profond. Touche toastée. Minutieux à l'attaque, suave en milieu de bouche, très bien construit, le vin se développe aromatique vers une longue finale accompagnée d'un brin de fermeté, rappelant Saint-Estèphe. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Lafon-Rochet is a promising wine. [...]  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. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Lafon-Rochet  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. [...] Displaying moderate length, this is a fine but grippy, denser Lafon-Rochet that should give 20 years or more of drinking pleasure. »