The 2019 Lafon Rochet from Bordeaux's St Estephe region is a red Bordeaux blend that has garnered praise from multiple reviewers for its bold character and depth. With its 14% alcohol content and traditional cork closure, this wine presents a classic profile that has impressed critics.
James Suckling appreciates the wine's "ripe blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of sweet tobacco, walnuts, and dark chocolate," awarding it a score of 94. He notes its "firm, chewy tannins" and a finish that includes a "lingering crushed-stone character." Jeff Leve, also scoring it 94, describes it as "deep in color" with a nose exuding "black and blue fruit, smoke, spice, tobacco, and lilacs." He highlights the wine's "full-bodied" nature and advises letting it age for a few years for optimal enjoyment.
Jeb Dunnuck offers one of the highest praises, rating it a 95 for its "pure, precise, elegant, yet at the same time concentrated style." He notes its "seamless tannins" and predicts a long aging potential of 20-25+ years. Wine Spectator echoes this, describing the wine as "ripe and sleek," with notes of cassis, damson plum, and loganberry, and commending its "lovely precision and poise."
Decanter and Jane Anson both emphasize the wine's structure and potential for aging, with Decanter noting its "rustic and wild" nose and Jane Anson pointing out its "clear tension and hold" that leans towards an austere finish. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Vinous both give it a 92 and 93, respectively, highlighting its depth, structure, and mineral-laden black fruit notes.
Overall, the 2019 Lafon Rochet is a wine that combines ripe fruit flavors with a robust structure, making it a standout selection for those seeking a classic Bordeaux with the potential for graceful aging.