2025 Lafon-Rochet (St-Estephe)

Great quality, slate and cassis notes, iris flowers, crayon, fine tannins, muscular and sculpted, if slim through the finish. Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen director of Lafon Rochet and Lilian Ladouys. 92 points

The 2025 Lafon-Rochet reveals a fresh, gourmand bouquet of dark wild berries and blackberry, becoming more floral with aeration. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and structured, it shows a firm profile that is less immediately charming on the palate than the nose suggests. It`s built around a fleshy core of fruit that is framed by youthful, finely grained tannins and concludes with a delicate, perfumed finish. It should offer both early approachability and solid aging potential. It`s a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, matured in a mix of 15% new oak, 40% foudres and 10% concrete. 91-93 points

The 2025 Lafon-Rochet is classy and polished, as it so often is. Readers will find a Saint-Estephe of nuance, delineation and understated class. Vibrant blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage and menthol are some of the many nuances that begin to open with some coaxing. This is classic Lafon-Rochet all the way. Tasted two times. 94-96 points

The 2025 Lafon-Rochet was picked from September 9 to 23 and matured in less new oak than usual, around 15%, with more foudres, 40%, including around one-third new from Stockinger and Taransaud. I think the influence of the new foudres is tangible on the nose and at the moment just masks a little of the fruit profile. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, classic and a little austere in style, very Saint-Estephe with an off-dry finish. I would have liked just a little more sustain and complexity, but it delivers an attractive salinity on the aftertaste. 91-93 points