Introduction

Château Lafon Rochet 2019 is a red wine from France, produced in the Bordeaux region and the Saint Estèphe appellation. The estate's origins date back to the 17th century. Château Lafon Rochet was distinguished in 1855 by gaining the title of Grand Cru Classé. The winery, which features a distinctive golden yellow façade, is a recognized standard of the Saint Estèphe appellation.

Wine Description

The wine displays a vibrant ruby purple or intense red colour with purple reflections. The aromatic profile is pure, precise, and elegant, showing lots of ripe currant, plum, tobacco, Asian spice, and cedar pencil aromatics. Red fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant emerge on the nose. The varietal composition is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It is a medium to full bodied wine with a compact core of fresh black and ripe red fruit. The palate is fresh and saline, with fine-boned, seamless tannins. Stylistically, it is classic, concentrated, and elegant, showing nobility and a 'crunchy' finish. The wine is aged for 12 months in barrels. The finish is long and elegant with very elegant tannins. The ABV is either 14.3% or 14%. The optimal drinking window is from 2025 to 2050 or 2023 through 2038. The winery experiments with organic and biodynamic farming techniques, with nearly 100% of the vines farmed using organic methods in 2016.

Accolades

• Jeb Dunnuck - 95 points

• Antonio Galloni (Vinous) - 95 points

• James Suckling - 94 points

• Wine Spectator - 94 points

• Decanter - 93 points

• Neal Martin (Vinous) - 93 points

• Jane Anson - 93 points

• Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 92 points

Food Pairing

This wine is a superb match for meat dishes. Suggested pairings include veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, and game. It also pairs well with roasted, braised, stewed, and grilled dishes.

Vintage Quality

The 2019 vintage shows the best of the vintage in Saint Estèphe with its pure, precise, and concentrated style. The growing season produced a wine with plenty of depth and structure to support sustained bottle age. The terroir of Château Lafon Rochet, with its gravel and clay soils, helps to regulate water stress, contributing to the wine's quality.