93-
94
JAMES SUCKLING: "This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH."
93
VINUM: "Im Duft mit viel Schwarzer Johannisbeere, florale Noten, ausdrucksstark; strukturiert, mit Spannung und fein mit der Frucht verwobenen Gerbstoffen, zeigt Rasse und Eleganz. Einmal mehr gelungen."
93
DECANTER: "Cool blue fruits and dark chocolate on the nose with blackcurrant and bramble fruit. Lovely fresh fragrance. Round and textured, a nice filling weight and body to this, almost chewy, juicy and lively, really in balance - very welcoming and generous and verging on charming. I like the pep to this, upbeat and fun, on the high acid side but there’s something very welcoming about it. Chalky and mineral on the finish, a powdery sensation lingers on the tongue. This will need some time to age in oak to soften it a touch and allow it to expand but this is a stylish 2023. 55% grand vin production. The estate will be certified organic as of the 2024 vintage. 3.75pH."
92-
94
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Blackberries, black cherries, spice, and tobacco leaves with a touch of spice fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, soft, and polished with ripe, brisk tannins, and a chewy, fresh, peppery finish. The wine was made from blending 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.35%. This is only the second vintage with the new owner, Jackie Lorenzetti, and the team of Emmanuel Cruse fully in charge. Drink from 2028-2045."
91-
93+
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet leaps with vibrant notes of kirsch, cranberry preserves, and fresh blackberries leading to hints of bay leaves, graphite, and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is lively and lightly chewy, with great tension adding sparkle to the red and black berry layers, finishing with an herbal lift. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.75."
91-
93
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Generous and layered, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet offers up aromas of blackberries, cassis, incense and burning embers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping palate that's gourmand and charming, concluding with a gently minty finish. Like the 2023, this represents a richer, more demonstrative style for this Saint-Estèphe property, where Christophe Congé and his team are rehabilitating the vineyards."
92
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkle Zwetschkenfrucht, schwarze Kirschen, feine Würze, kandierte Orangen. Straff, engmaschige Mineralität, rote Kirschen, präsente Tannine, rotbeerige Nuancen im Abgang, zart blättriger Touch, ein guter Speisenbegleiter."
17
WEINWISSER: "Intensives rot- und blaubeeriges Bouquet, edle Cassiswürze, ein Hauch Veilchen und Heidelbeerdrops. Am kompakten Gaumen mit weicher Textur, straffem und sehr geradlinigem Köper, stützender, feinnerviger Rasse. Im gebündelten aromatischen Finale rote Beerenhaut, Graphit und körnige, feinmürbe Adstringenz. Aufgerundet."
