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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 88.6 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 37 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Zweder on 1/4/2022 & rated 90 points: Gang of 4 in Covid19 times; Bordeaux, St. Estephe (@ RW): Beautiful and deep bouquet with some stable and barnyard smells, dark berries and cigar box. On the palate dark berries, chocolate, tobacco, bell pepper and pleasant bitterness in the finish. Good acidity and the tannin still has a bite and is a bit drying. (1524 views) | | | Tasted by Vinumming & Ahhing on 12/25/2021 & rated 89 points: Fully mature, this is clearly a cabinet dominant wine. It is savoury and dark fruited with a touch of animale. With some time in the glass there is something herbaceous coming through, thyme I think. Palate is not the longest. More red fruits here maybe some cherry, also texturally less polished than an '01 I enjoyed a few weeks ago. Suspect will hold on for few years but in gentle decline. (1187 views) | | | Tasted by WillRepstad on 12/5/2021 & rated 91 points: Wine is definitely past it’s peak however it showed remarkable beauty for its age in the first hour or so out of the bottle. Afterwards, the wine began to fade. In the feature I would just pour this wine out of the bottle and not decant it. (1206 views) | | | Tasted by red_man on 6/8/2019 & rated 87 points: good long cork, perfect level, colour still relatively youthful, very little brown at rim, nose fresh, lifted, mid-weight, cabernet dominant, quite fine, very nice, clearly northern left-bank, palate also of mid-weight, “lean and mean” but not in a negative sense, very dry, good length, spiciness to upper back palate, well made, good wine for the limitations of the vintage, true to its character, not what one would serve to convince a beginner in Bordeaux but for those who love the style, character and structure of Bordeaux and St Estephe in particular this is still a real pleasure to drink, enjoyed this and have no regrets I have a few more, good QPR (2117 views) | | | Tasted by H.H. on 3/3/2019: Zie boven. (2139 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 10/5/2018 & rated 86 points: Mature, medium bodied and showing a distinctive, olive, leaf, herb and cedar accent to the bright red berries, the wine is ready to go. (2575 views) | | | Tasted by SeedfamilyD on 12/24/2015 & rated 84 points: 아직도 단단하다는 느낌, 향은 은은한 과일향, 색은 검붉지만 옅었으며, 팔럿에서 니끼는 타린감은 시간이 흐를수록 입안가득 조여주는, 늦은 가을 오래도록 읽지않은 감을 오래도록 씹었을 때와 같은 니낌. 셀러의 2012는 오래도록 묵혀야겠다는 생각 (4718 views) | | | Tasted by ProfByron on 12/9/2015: Nice cigar box and leather character, just what I was hoping for.
Very dry, touch green, in line with the vintage. (4472 views) | | | Tasted by winelover20 on 11/15/2015 & rated 88 points: A really beautiful nose with black berries as cassis. On the palate ready to drink, tannins are soft, but not really complex and rather short. (4013 views) | | | Tasted by twavering on 10/30/2015: Opened up after 15 minutes. Not a complex wines. Hints of cigar.a bit musty. (3933 views) | | | Tasted by Zweder on 12/8/2014 & rated 90 points: Weekly tasting group #146; Bordeaux: Right bank or Left bank? (@ RW): Beautiful bouquet with cassis and other dark forest fruits and good oak. On the palate good cassis, some chocolate, vanilla and good acidity and tannin with still a pleasant bite. Ready now and no real hurry. Not one of the greatest, but certainly a very good effort for this off vintage. 89 - 90 (5189 views) | | | Tasted by LIE-user on 7/13/2014 & rated 89 points: I don't know if it is really the wine or a very special memory I had with this one some years ago, when I drank it in a great moment I'll never forget.
However, good stuff. Very perfumed, a little bit aggressive, but at the same moment very silky with nice tannins. In the end perhaps a little light. (2484 views) | | | Tasted by Whitelion on 3/8/2014 & rated 89 points: Full classic nose of horse stable with old prunes.... tight body.. lack of fruit... dried coffee/ choco after taste... nice full, dusty wine (2801 views) | | | Tasted by rwpalmer on 6/7/2013 & rated 88 points: This wine has not moved on that far since my last note nearly 3 years ago. 02's in general will hold a lot longer in my view than some reckon, and in the process should gain a gentle, old school warmth. Riper than most 1988's which have lasted pretty well. Expect delicacy and precision rather than power. (3500 views) | | | Tasted by Winemaker51 on 12/3/2012 & rated 88 points: Earthy, forest floor aroma at first. Opens to mild herb and dusty, cherryish Cabernet aromas. Some brick tones but wasn't over the hill. Lighter, elegant palate with very drinkable, moderately complex favors. Bought to drink Bordeaux now and thoroughly enjoyable. A bargain and arriving at its peak. (4076 views) | | | Tasted by henkvanl on 3/17/2012 & rated 85 points: Food nose, berries and wood. Spicy. Still a lot of tannins, sticks to the teeth. Not much on aftertaste. (4141 views) | | | Tasted by franco rosso on 6/26/2011 & rated 90 points: Great berry nose. Good;, bright taste of berries and cocoa, slightly tannic but not to be bothersome. I prefer the 2000 or 2005, but this wasn't bad at alll. (and it didn't cost what a 2000 of 2005 costs, either. (4799 views) | | | Tasted by Sbolger on 3/5/2011 & rated 88 points: Peaking. Good depth and structure. Fruit a bit muted but perfect with the braised lamb it was served up with at dinner. (4654 views) | | | Tasted by EGunderson on 12/26/2010 & rated 84 points: Not a ton going on with this wine, decent daily drinker, that's about it. (3851 views) | | | Tasted by rwpalmer on 10/8/2010 & rated 88 points: I'm not sure I get the St Estephe terroir on this yet, but only open 1/2 hour. I do get acceptably ripe cabernet nose, still primary to accompany the still almost bright to the rim, though not overly deep colour. It's lean and the acidity is there but it isn't scrawny. These 02's are so slow to develop and destination unknown, in my view. Certainly of the old school, in a clean rendition, rather than a "wow" wine. (3555 views) | | | Tasted by slaughterer on 7/29/2010 & rated 87 points: Dark color. Slight barnyard aromatic interest mixed with spice. Lack of body and short. Taste: mentholated cherries, blackberry, mixed with peppers and spice. Should be much better for a vineyard between Cos and Montrose. As it is, the 2nd wine of Cos is better than this. Why can't the Tesseron family work the same wonders they have worked at Pontet Canet here? (3968 views) | | | Tasted by Rob MacKay on 7/3/2010 & rated 89 points: St. Estèphe has been a favorite region of mine for quite some time. I find that the wines from that region have a distinct bit of funk on the nose that adds an extra level of complexity. This 02 Lafon-Rochet was no exception as it showed a big nose of cassis and that funky earthy element I love. Deep and dark in color, this wine seems to still be in it's early stages of development but has a nice amount of fruit and firm tannins that should carry well into the next decade. (3802 views) | | | Tasted by Xavier Auerbach on 1/15/2010 & rated 89 points: Light in weight and structure, but lovely ripe fruit, open nose; gets softness of 40% Merlot and depth from the Cabernets (bay leaf, lead pencil, minerals), good juicy fruit and velvety tannins; cherry finish. (2090 views) | | | Tasted by Wolfgang on 12/25/2009 & rated 89 points: Decanted 2 hours, delicous cassis and easter lilly nose. Nice acidic balance that paired well with rouladen, dumplings and braised red cabbage. Wish I had more! (3857 views) | | | Tasted by Gob on 3/3/2009 & rated 89 points: Very dark and concentrated, lots of fruit, although quick to finish, perfectly functional wine with food, good value (4257 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Château Lafon-Rochet Producer website – Read more about Chateau Lafon RochetRed 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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