2003-CHÂTEAU-LAFON-ROCHET-4ème-Cru-Classé-Saint-Estèphe

CHÂTEAU LAFON ROCHET

2003 4ème Cru Classé Saint Estèphe

Grapes Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Saint Estèphe
Classification 4ème Cru Classé
ABV 14%

Ripe red fruit on the nose, filling out into blackcurrant on the palate with an attack full of granular tannin which become severe and drying. The fruit, keen and with fresh acidity, is still there on the finish. A good classic Lafon Rochet in the style of recent vintages. L&S (Mar 2005)


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The 2003 Lafon-Rochet cannot disguise the warmth of that infamous summer. However, there is commendable definition with scents of maraschino cherries, leather and licorice developing with time in the glass. The palate is well balanced with darker fruit, black plum and cranberry, brown spices and a touch of balsamic and cedar. I do not find dryness on the finish. This is a fine 2003 that is drinking perfectly now, though I would not be inclined to cellar it long-term. Tasted at the Lafon-Rochet vertical at the property. Drinking range: 2021 - 2025 Rating: 86 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jun 2023)

Fully mature, round, soft and reasonably complex, the 2003 Lafon Rochet exhibits notes of cedarwood, licorice, Christmas fruitcake, red and black fruits. The tannins are resolved in this medium-bodied, low acid St.-Estephe, so enjoy it over the next 4-5 years. 2014-2019 Rating: 89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)

There are a lot of powerful flavours on the nose some nice rich fruit. Black plum gives fleshiness with blackcurrant and bramble some freshness a nice complex mix. The tannins have mellowed and the fruit richness gives a nice weight on the finish. 2012-2028 Rating: 92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint Estèphe Quatrième cru 1855 A somewhat complicated history eventually placed the Rochet vineyard - so named due to its rocky soil - into the hands of the Lafon family in the early years of the 17th Century. The family owned the estate until 1895. It passed through several hands until Guy Tesseron, who's family had prospered in the Cognac business, bought the, now run-down, estate in the 1960's. Guy completely renovated Lafon-Rochet, even to the extent of demolishing all of the delapidated buildings and rebuilding a grand 18th Century style chateau, which was painted yellow to match the labels. Thus Lafon-Rochet are almost unique among Haut-Médoc châteaux in being built in the 20th Century. In the 1960's Château Lafon-Rochet's vineyards consisted of just 15ha of Merlot. Today, there are 41ha under vine, and at a more Médoc-like 54% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Grand Vin spends up to 20 months in wood (50% ish new). Sitting inland from Cos d'Estournel, facing across the Jalle de Brieul at Duhart Milon and Lafite, Lafon-Rochet has some very noble neighbours. The Tesseron family also own Château Pontet-Canet.

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