2009 Lafon-Rochet (St-Estephe)
- Producer:
- Chateau Lafon-Rochet
- Origin:
-
St-Estephe,
Medoc,
Bordeaux,
FRANCE,
- Wine colour:
- red
- Wine style:
- dry
- Closure style:
- cork
- Classification:
- Medoc fourth growths 4th 4eme
- Maturity:
- young
Uncorked:
Sister chateau of Pontet-Canet (Guy Tesseron actually bought it first, in 1960), Lafon-Rochet is enviably located, with Lafite on one side and Cos d`Estournel on another. Now managed by Michel Tesseron, together with his son Basile, recent developments include a new cellar finished in 2000, and smaller fermentation tanks so that the various parcels can more easily be vinified separately. As at Pontet-Canet, environmental concerns are paramount, and viticulture is lutte raisonnee. 2009 looks set to be the best ever.
Robert Parker:
Perhaps the finest Lafon Rochet ever made, the purity, freshness, and sweet, rich, blueberry and boysenberry fruit and hint of pen ink that are found in this opaque purple-colored wine are impressive. Massive in the mouth, with freshness, delineation, and sweet tannin, it is a major sleeper of the vintage that should last for 25+ years. (Tasted two times.) 91-93* points
Neal Martin:
A sample taken on 23rd March tasted at the property. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% vin de presse, a pH of 3.65 and alcohol 13.5% with 50% matured in new oak. This has a tightly wound that unfurls nicely over 15 minutes, a nice minerality here, really exposed at the moment. Blackberry, a touch of raspberry, wild hedgerow, very pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied, firm tannins, quite tight at the moment, very focused, gentle grip, and racy acidity towards the finish. Very Cabernet dominated finish, more structure than usual thanks to the higher percentage, perhaps
Scores
91-93* points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, April 2010
91-93 points, Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, April 2010
89 points, Jean-Marc Quarin, quarin.com, April 2010
17.5 points, Steven Spurrier, Decanter, April 2010