Château Lafon-Rochet 2023

On the nose, plenty of blackcurrant, floral notes, expressive; structured, with tension and tannins finely interwoven with the fruit, showing breed and elegance. Once again, a success.

Cool blue fruits and dark chocolate on the nose with blackcurrant and bramble fruit. Lovely fresh fragrance. Round and textured, a nice filling weight and body to this, almost chewy, juicy and lively, really in balance - very welcoming and generous and verging on charming. I like the pep to this, upbeat and fun, on the high acid side but there’s something very welcoming about it. Chalky and mineral on the finish, a powdery sensation lingers on the tongue. This will need some time to age in oak to soften it a touch and allow it to expand but this is a stylish 2023. 55% grand vin production. The estate will be certified organic as of the 2024 vintage. 3.75pH.

The 2023 Lafon-Rochet is much more intense and fresher than the Pélerins, graphite- and tobacco-tinged black fruit, just a light floral note in the background. Well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry, fine tannins, classic in style with quite a liberal sprinkling of cracked black pepper. Quite graphite-driven on the finish, afford this three or four years in bottle to get the most from it.

The combination of blackberries, flowers, spice, and tobacco is the perfect entree to the wine. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh, and gentle, with softness and polish to the mid-palate and a peppery finish. The wine was made from blending 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2028-2045.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Dark plum fruit, black cherries, fine savouriness, candied oranges. Firm, tight-knit minerality, red cherries, vivid tannins, red-berry nuances on the finish, a delicate leafy touch, a good food wine.

Reductive flint edge on the nose, opening to show a grilled raspberry and redcurrant character, fresh acidities, cuts through the black fruits and makes things a little edgy, although plenty of potential for softening further over next few years. Christophe Congé director.

Score: 92–94. The nose is welcoming, with notes of ripe fruit and powdery floral aromas. After a supple attack, the palate reveals itself rich and luxurious, carried by a racy mineral framework that stretches through to the finish.

Lafon-Rochet’s bouquet reveals itself slowly, but surely… there must be some Swiss inspiration in there! Hints of reduction and graphite don’t stand in the way of aromas of black berries, pepper and mint. On the palate, the wine follows a linear progression. Its powerful tannins frame the breadth beautifully, in harmony with a structuring acidity. It is promising and underlines its ambitions for greatness. Everything needs to settle into place, which will happen with some time in the cellar! As a member of the Swiss government once said: as fast as possible, but as slow as necessary.

A dense, silky palate with indulgent flavors of morello cherry jam and raspberry, a retro-olfactory note of toast, yet only 40% new oak, complemented by 13‑hl foudres and 400‑L barrels. Everything is designed to preserve the tightly framed fruit within a structure of very fine tannins. The finish goes the distance.

With tannins powering through black plum fruits and firm texture, there is plenty of aging potential. With new wood still showing in this fine wine, it should be ready to drink from 2029.

Friendly and open-knit, with cassis and bitter plum fruit laced with iris and rose hip accents. Shows a chalk hint on the breezy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032.

Dark, intense colour. Very intense nose, with pure, ripe fruit. Subtle. Precise on the attack, very aromatic on the mid-palate, with a silky, flavourful body; the wine develops with both a suave and tightly knit profile. It lingers long and fragrant. It just needs time. It’s very good.