2017 Ch Lafon-Rochet, St-Estèphe

Solid, ultra-clean 2017 with a very pretty core of fruit and chewy tannins. Flavorful and fresh. Extremely long and focused.

92-93 points James Suckling

The 2017 Lafon-Rochet has matured in 50% new oak and the remainder in one-year old. I have to say, the bouquet is very expressive with plenty of blackberry, wild hedgerow, oyster shell and pressed flower that blossom in the glass. It is very well defined and more sophisticated than I have detected in recent vintages. Perhaps this is the first vintage where the new winery, replete with concrete vats, has really played a serious role in meliorating quality. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline in the mouth with just a hint of black olive. There is a slightly grainy texture with a sustained peppery finish, completing a crisp and vivacious Lafon-Rochet that should please many wine-lovers. Expect this to land at the top of my banded score. Drink 2020 - 2040.

91-93 points Neal Martin, Vinous

One of Saint Estèphe's most recognisable estates, Château Lafon Rochet has been crafting classically styled Bordeaux since the 17th century. The Tesseron family has guided the estate with a commitment to quality and authenticity, producing wines that capture the appellation's signature combination of structure, depth and longevity. With its gravelly soils and Cabernet Sauvignon led blends, Lafon Rochet remains one of the Left Bank's enduring favourites.

The 2017 vintage rewarded meticulous vineyard management, producing wines of freshness, precision and classical balance. The estate's gravel and clay soils delivered beautifully concentrated fruit while preserving the firm structure and vibrant acidity that define great Saint Estèphe. Careful élevage has created a wine that is refined today yet built to evolve gracefully in the cellar.

Deep garnet with youthful ruby highlights, the bouquet reveals cassis, blackberry and black cherry layered with cedar, graphite and cigar box. As the wine unfolds, notes of tobacco leaf, violets, pencil shavings and subtle spice emerge, adding complexity and unmistakable Left Bank character. The palate is beautifully structured, combining concentrated black fruits with polished tannins, fresh acidity and a finely etched mineral backbone. Powerful yet composed, the finish is long, savoury and marked by the quiet confidence that makes Saint Estèphe so compelling.

A magnificent partner for roast lamb, dry aged rib eye, venison, beef Wellington or mature hard cheeses. Already rewarding with a generous decant, this distinguished Bordeaux will continue to develop beautifully over the next two decades.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2042.