Château Lafon Rochet, 4ème Cru Classé, St Estèphe, 2022

This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and the élevage was in 40% new oak, 40% second-fill and 20% third-fill barrels. A nose of sweet and dark fruits, with smoky dark red cherry laced with tobacco and toast. This dark and sweet character translates onto the palate as a supple, creamed and velvety, with a beautifully polished outer surface, within which there is a wealth of savoury black fruits, salted olives and currants, black cherries and damsons, which are set within a harmonious texture draped over a firm and yet beautifully knit bed of tannins. With little juicy edges giving it lift, and a firm peppery structure, the pure and defined tannins lingering long in the finish, with spicy grip, this is a strong vintage for Lafon-Rochet. A fine result, but I feel there is room for improvement here, I wonder if the new direction under Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen will bring more impressive results. I hope and expect so. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2054

date of review 06/2025

New team under ex-Lafite winemaker Christophe Congé (who will be heading to sibling estate Pédéslaux for the 2025 vintage), there is plenty happening at Lafon Rochet, and this is intense enjoyable, well put together, slight rustic tannins on the finish that emphasise their edges a little more than during En Primeur, but this seems set for the long haul, and is balanced by plentiful black fruits. 50% new oak for ageing, 60% 1st wine, down from 70% in 2021, as the new team focuses heavily on quality.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2040

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Lafon-Rochet was bottled in June 2024. This has a delightful, well-defined bouquet with pure aromas of blackberry and blueberry with touches of iris flower percolating through. This is nicely controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. It is "old-school" Lafon-Rochet in a way and introspective compared to others, with firm grip. This is "serious" with a tannic, slightly briny finish. Give this three to five years in bottle.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2050

date of review 02/2025