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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.1 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 250 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Eric Becker on 7/15/2023 & rated 93 points: An auction bottle with a high fill and a very good cork. In this condition the wine still has many years to go! We decanted shortly for sediment and it took the wine only a couple of minutes to blossom.
Black at the core with a garnet red rim. Aromatically there is surprisingly no sous bois or mushrooms, instead the wine is quite red-fruited with cherrys and raspberries. There is still a trace of sweet oak, a ferral note and something difficult to describe, maybe the sour-artificial sensation of vitamin c, however, not in a dominant or unpleasant way. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and pure and - with its structure mostly resolved - nicely smooth. The finish is still quite powerful and persistent and we didn't sense any decline. All in all this is a lovely aged, moderately complex claret. (2085 views) | | | Tasted by paulst on 4/24/2023 & rated 92 points: Lean with tobacco and light earth; light raspberry-blackberry; resolved; soft elegant earthy finish. (2250 views) | | | Tasted by Christian De Lafoye on 3/10/2023 & rated 92 points: The aroma is fantastic! I'm not sure I've ever "smelled" a wine so long before taking a drink. Pipe tobacco, baking spices, cedar and chocolate. Wonderful. On the palate very dry, not much fruit with integrated tannins and graphite with a licorice finish. The subtle fruit is BlackBerry. I thoroughly enjoyed with cheese and fruit. With my wife, daughter and son in law @BeauJCota. (2129 views) | | | Tasted by rjmp96 on 2/13/2023 & rated 93 points: Some desiccated red fruit under a bouquet of leather, turned earth, cigar ash, graphite, turned earth, dried herbs and spice. Exquisite mouthfeel, plummy sweet fruits, just enough structure to keep everything propped up and drinking beautifully right now. Beautifully mineral driven as well. Probably my sweet spot, I'd drink soon if I had more. (1527 views) | | | Tasted by talbot61 on 1/23/2023: At Boston Wine & Poker: Tasted blind. Dark, intense, slightly reductive -- classic non-nonsense St. Estephe.
Many thanks to Tom for bringing this one. (2553 views) | | | Tasted by Brussels 1049 on 1/22/2023 & rated 88 points: At last, a bottle from a case of 12 that is not foully corked. The odd other bottle from a few years ago that was drinkable had more life than this. it's still a classy wine, but a dryness and wateriness has crept in and although enjoyable, it lacks zip and drive. A 2021 bottle was much more vigorous and had some future, but on this showing, no point in holding further if you have any. (1414 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 11/21/2022: Coravin fun - Lafon Rochet (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Sweet plum, slight blackcurrant, a little alcohol prickle, sweet spice, a little fresh earth, slight cedar, leather. Medium plus intensity acidity, slightly sour black and red fruit, plentiful drying chalky textured tannins, a little buttery creamy note on the finish. Hmm. (1819 views) | | | Tasted by Irish_Wine on 11/1/2022 & rated 90 points: Deep garnet.
Med + intensity and lovely on the nose with rich blackcurrant, black plum, black cherry, violet, mint, graphite, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cedar, clove, leather, earth, dried blackberry and black cherry and tobacco. Fully developed.
Med + intensity and dry on the palate. Med + acidity, med + slightly drying tannins, med body, med alcohol, med finish.
Drink now, not suitable for further aging. Losing some intensity on the palate - interesting as less developed on the nose than Lagune 2000. (398 views) | | | Tasted by Julian Marshall on 9/12/2022 & rated 90 points: My first bottle since 2017 and time has not been very kind. Many 2000s have if anything too much intensity, but this lacked it, both on the nose and in the mouth. Quite good aromas of wild strawberry, blackberry and dark cherry, but not very persistent and not easy to identify. The attack is a little muted, with some notes of dark cherry, before a stronger middle section featuring blackcurrant flavours, and a reasonably persistent finish combining the cherry and blackcurrant, and introducing new flavours of blackberry and strawberry.
It's not bad, and was a lot better the second night, but to put it in perspective, I tasted a Sociando Mallet 01 alongside it and there was really no comparison. Admittedly the SM 01 is one of the finest SMs in the last 25 years, but the LR just tasted bland and dull next to it.
I would drink up any remaining bottles over the next couple of years. (1961 views) | | | Tasted by Panta rei C2H5OH on 6/25/2022 & rated 92 points: Leather, stables,sous bois, and a bit black currant on the nose.
Smooth tannins and very well balanced on the palate.
Perhaps a few years over the top but still a great classic left bank Boudreaux (1965 views) | | | Tasted by Decanting Queen on 5/26/2022: Our bottles were in good condition and drinking well. Could have perhaps used more than the double decant and then slow ox 90 min before serving. A mix of dark and red fruits, very enjoyable with beef Wellington. Not as rustic as I would expect for a st Estephe. Overall very nice but not particularly special. (3239 views) | | | Tasted by RightBankKane on 5/2/2022: Took a while but this has come to be the wine it is supposed to be. Dark color. Rich, sweet and lively bouquet that blooms like a flower. Expansive but with cut, nice saccharine touch in the middle. Tannins hang through th finish. Very claret. Fine to drink now. (2262 views) | | | Tasted by paulst on 1/8/2022 & rated 95 points: Earth with blackberry; balanced; silky tannin; long elegant finish. (2980 views) | | | Tasted by Brussels 1049 on 11/28/2021 & rated 91 points: Out of a case of 12, so far, 6 have been corked to a degree of foulness I could scarcely believe was possible, a couple were mildly tainted and 2 were really, really good. Tonight's was one of the good ones; classic claret that hits all the clichés - cigar box and spice on the nose, leafy blackcurrant on the palate, perfectly balanced, a slight lack of concentration on the finish. Despite being 20 years old, it opened up quite a bit over the course of the dinner, so (for the good bottles) there's life in it yet. (2706 views) | | | Tasted by Sid G on 11/25/2021 & rated 85 points: Had my last 2 bottles of 2000 vintage Bordeaux wines for Thanksgiving. Both bottles were in good condition -- a moderate amount of sediment and corks intact. They spent most of their life in my temperature controlled wine cabinet. While good, they were a bit disappointing. The garnet color and a light fruit nose were a good start. The initial flavors were lovely -- delicate dark fruit flavors with moderate acidity and body. I was prepared to love this wine. But the finish was off-putting with a sour tannin aftertaste. If 20 years of bottle age cannot smooth out this wine, I doubt more aging will help. So my score is a combination of 95 for the lovely initial impression and 75 for the finish. (2335 views) | | | Tasted by eboracum on 10/30/2021 & rated 92 points: This is classical warm vintage claret. The nose is elegant with red plum infused fruit, hints of noble green and some underlying warmth. The medium bodied palate is linear slowly building up to the finish, replays the aromas from the nose over mature gracious fruit, fine minerals, good underlying roundness, moreish acidity and firm enrobés tannins supporting the decently long finish. This is my first 2000 which is really singing and at last makes me regret not having gone more into this vintage. Very good. (2481 views) | | | Tasted by The Prouds on 9/12/2021 & rated 96 points: Fantastic and classic right bank I love (2454 views) | | | Tasted by roelof.ligtmans@gmail.com on 3/7/2021 flawed bottle: Cork is OK, one might say pristine. The wine smells bizarre, some balsamic and a green bit, somewhere between green paprika and cauliflower, not very nice. Palate seems OK. Not rated. (3240 views) | | | Tasted by steefbeef on 2/23/2021 & rated 91 points: Heel mild en fluwelig. Lijjt iets op retour te gaan dez fles. Kurk was van matige kwaliteit (2913 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 1/18/2021: Coravin fun - Lafon Rochet (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Cream, vanilla, slight pyrazine, chalky minerality, black hued fruits; plums and blackcurrant, cedar, savoury spices, little alcohol prickle. Juicy, sweetly fruited with blackcurrant and plums, floury textured tannins persist long, cedar, a little plain chocolate, cream. Very nice, opens in the glass and gains weight. Balanced. Lovely. (3133 views) | | | Tasted by advinm41 on 12/31/2020 & rated 91 points: Fully mature, good Lafon, nothing spectacular but overall very pleasant, balanced and good representation fo terroir and vintage. (3449 views) | | | Tasted by msauer on 12/19/2020 & rated 79 points: Kork !! (3577 views) | | | Tasted by msauer on 11/23/2020 & rated 92 points: ein „richtiger“ Wein !
Ausgewogen, viel Körper, Schöne Länge.
Kaum (noch)Holz, stinkt nicht. Keine grüne Paprika (3117 views) | | | Tasted by msauer on 11/22/2020 & rated 92 points: ein „richtiger“ Wein !
Ausgewogen, viel Körper, Schöne Länge.
Kaum (noch)Holz, stinkt nicht. Keine grüne Paprika (2939 views) | | | Tasted by steefbeef on 11/9/2020 & rated 90 points: Rijp fruit. Zachte tannines. Structuur gaat wat minderen (2940 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, November 2023 (11/1/2023)
(Château Lafon-Rochet St Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, Moving On: Lafon-Rochet 1955-2017 (Jun 2023) (6/1/2023)
(Lafon-Rochet Lafon-Rochet Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, November 2020 (11/1/2020)
(Château Lafon-Rochet St Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, June 2018 (6/1/2018)
(Château Lafon-Rochet St Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, June 2013 (6/1/2013)
(Château Lafon-Rochet St Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, October 2003
(Chateau Lafon-Rochet St Estèphe) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2002, IWC Issue #102
(Chateau Lafon Rochet Saint Estephe) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2001, IWC Issue #96
(Chateau Lafon Rochet Saint Estephe) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Winedoctor and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Lafon-Rochet Producer website – Read more about Chateau Lafon Rochet2000 Château Lafon-Rochet57% C.S., 40% Merlot, & 3% C.F. grown in deep gravels & gravels on clay; Harvested by hand in small crates, 100% vinified in s/s, & aged 16-18 mos (50% new barrels); 13% ABV
92 pts Neal Martin's Wine Journal,
17.5/20 winedoctor.com,
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (8/14/17),
+ NUMEROUS other reviews & accolades on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.
Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.St. Estèphe Read more about St. Estephe and its wines Whereas the first activity recorded in Saint-Estèphe goes back as far as the Middle Bronze Age, the first vines date from the Roman Occupation. But it was the Bordeaux merchants who by aging and selling Saint-Estèphe wines themselves were largely responsible for this appellation's fame. And in the nineteenth century, noted for its prosperity, the great estates of today were created. The movement continues today with the merging of small estates.
A land of great wines, Saint-Estèphe is situated almost in the centre of the Médoc, close to the Gironde Estuary. The appellation is equidistant from Bordeaux and the Pointe de Grave.
The beds of soil are characterized by their remarkable diversity, the result of their undulating relief and excellent drainage. Quartz and well-rounded pebbles mingled with light, sandy surface soil are found everywhere, giving the wines a distinctive finesse. And the subsoil is made up of the famous Saint-Estèphe limestone, which outcrops on the west of the commune.
Tasting
Thanks to ideal conditions of climate and geology, Saint-Estèphe wines are characterized by their sturdy qualities and robust constitution. Accordingly, they can be laid down for a very long time while yet preserving their youth and freshness. Distinguished by a subsoil which is more clayey than that in the other communal appellations which lie by the river, the wine here attains a distinctive individuality : a very rich tannic structure, a fine deep red colour and an exceptional backbone with aromas of great finesse.
Production conditions (Decree dated September 11, 1936):
In order to have the right to the Saint-Estèphe appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the communes of Saint-Estèphe, "excluding any parcels in that area which are situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions : grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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