Château Lafon-Rochet 2018

Restrained nose, with aeration notes of black berries; fleshy, lush attack, supple structure, balanced, silky tannins, good length, harmonious, finishing fruity-spicy; charming, incredibly sensual, already enjoyable now yet capable of aging.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lafon-Rochet delivers impactful scents of baked blackberries, warm cassis and black cherry compote, with suggestions of chargrill, tar and tobacco leaf, plus a waft of wild mushrooms. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and earthy accents, supported by firm, chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great length, if a little chewy.

Seductive, with a gush of dark plum and blackberry preserve notes leading off, while light bay, dark tobacco and charcoal notes peek through. Has a racy edge through the finish, even with the warm fruit keeping the upper hand. Nicely done. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032.

Smoke and grilled cedar on the nose. Clearly ambitious, this is good-quality, with plenty of power and forward motion, depth of liquorice and a Bendicks Mint feel of bitter chocolate and mint. Precision, depth and power, with years ahead of it, if closed and a little austere right now. Brilliant value among the classifieds. A 46hl/ha yield also, so generous.

Blackberry and blueberry on the nose, as well as dark chocolate, mineral and earthy undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Fleshy, savory texture with layers. Flavorful finish and beautiful length. Lovely ripe fruit at the mid-palate. Try after 2025.

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Black to a narrow crimson rim. Dark and charry on the nose, black in every way. Surprisingly lithe tannins, grainy but polished. Lots of black-fruited finesse rather than fruit sweetness. Long and fresh. Wait. (JH)

The 2018 Lafon-Rochet has an intense bouquet of black and red fruit, with touches of wild mint and incense. It remains a pretty and engaging nose, just as I found from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine backbone and—what I really appreciate—superb precision and detail toward the saline finish. This is a classy, quite sophisticated Lafon-Rochet that deserves four or five years of cellaring. One of the best in recent years.

Espresso, flowers, cocoa, tobacco leaf, wet earth, and red pit-fruit aromas are everywhere. The wine is rich, round, juicy, and loaded with sweet, lifted red fruits. The tannins are soft, the freshness brings just the right lift, and you’ll find intriguing notes of spice and spearmint on the finish. Give it just a few years to soften and develop additional nuances, and enjoy it over the following two decades or more. The wine was made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.

Deep ruby, purple glints, faintly lighter at the rim. Gentle tobacco nuances underpinned by fresh dark berries, a hint of ripe plums, subtle herbal savoury tones, delicate cassis. Medium-bodied, red sweetheart cherries, fine tannins, pleasant freshness, mineral reverberations. Displays balance and good length. A multifaceted food accompaniment. (2020-2040)

The upper Médoc did brilliantly in 2018, and that's certainly apparent when tasting the 2018 Château Lafon-Rochet. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe black and blue fruits, lead pencil, forest floor, chocolate, and leafy herbs, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't quite have the precision of the top wines in the appellation, but it's loaded with charm and character, and I'd certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle. This rich, textured, flavorful Saint-Estèphe will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for two decades.

Kunz barrel sample 19: mineral, deep, dense bouquet, cassis, black blackberries, charcoal, fine woods. Dense, powerful, aromatic palate with a firm structure, fine sandy tannins, concentrated aromatics, dark fruit, long, dense finish.

Mineral, deep, dense bouquet with cassis, black blackberries, coal, and fine woods. Dense, powerful, aromatic palate with solid structure, fine-sandy tannins, concentrated aromatics, dark fruit, and a long, dense finish. 18/20 2027 - 2045

Lafon-Rochet 2018 has a deep garnet-purple color. It starts out a little rubbery and reduced, leading to a core of warm cassis, blackberry pie, and chargrill, plus touches of garrigue, dried herbs, and tobacco. The medium to full-bodied palate has a good concentration of savory flavors with chewy tannins and soft acidity, finishing a little firm.

Deep colour, plenty of body, firm tannins, a touch simpler in its harmonics than some neighbours, great future, a true Saint-Estèphe.

A breathtaking, expressive, and self-assured nose with bold tobacco aromas. The power carries through on the palate, crystal-clear and languorous, with ripe fruit and dark chocolate, standing out above all for that texture you could lose yourself in, and a lively, complex, gently saline finish…

The bouquet of Lafon Rochet unfolds with delicacy and precision. It is marked by notes of graphite, dark berries, and cedar. On the palate, it stands out for its fruity intensity and creaminess. So much harmony and finesse on the palate, and such promise. The wine is refined, elegant, powerful, and fresh. Congratulations to the whole team.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Purple hue. Very aromatic nose with ripe fruit. The wine becomes more intense, purer, and finer with a swirl of the glass—and all the better for it. Delicate on the attack, highly aromatic mid-palate, with a melting core and refined touch, this wine scores even more points on the finish, where it ends long and complex, powerful without showing the tannin. Superb. Blend: 64% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 4% cabernet franc. Alcohol: 14.5% – pH: 3.75.

This wine comes from an estate that is performing with distinction. It is rich, the tannins cushioned by ripe blackberry fruits and good acidity. Showing both structure and fruitiness, the wine will develop well, everything in balance. Drink from 2026.