Chateau Lafon Rochet 2019

A respected Fourth Growth Saint-Estèphe, Château Lafon-Rochet reveals classic aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, cedar, graphite, tobacco, violet, and subtle baking spice. Richly structured yet beautifully refined, it delivers polished tannins, vibrant freshness, remarkable precision, and a long, elegant finish with excellent aging potential.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, grilled ribeye, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, or braised short ribs.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

Brilliant stuff, the 2019 Château Lafon-Rochet shows the best of the vintage with its pure, precise, elegant, yet at the same time concentrated style. Showing lots of ripe currant, plum, tobacco, Asian spice, and cedar pencil aromatics, it's medium to full-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity, and just seamless tannins. It's beautifully done and well worth seeking out. It's going to evolve for 20-25+ years. Best after 2022.

94 Points - James Suckling

The purity of fruit and balance in this young St.-Estephe is really beautiful with crushed-currant, stone and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins and a pretty finish. We will see if this is better than the 2018 or not.

94 Points - Wine Spectator

Ripe and sleek, delivering cassis, damson plum, loganberry and mulberry notes that glisten, with iron, anise, black tea and savory accents. Offers lovely precision and poise, even as the fruit flirts with an exotic blend. Mouthwatering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023.

93 Points - Decanter

Spiced pepper and cinnamon on the first nose, good concentration, pencil lead and slate abound in this alongside cassis bud and touches of brambled hedgerow, all of which suggests fresh acidities and good backbone. Some chewy tannins also, this is a serious Lafon that will age well. Less immediately seductive than the 2018. Tasted twice two weeks apart.

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Lafon-Rochet has turned out nicely in bottle, mingling aromas of blackberries and red fruits with hints of violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, it's a bright, precise wine, with plenty of depth and structure to support sustained bottle age, but with enough modern polish to temper any suggestion of structural asperity. Best After 2025.