Chateau Lafon Rochet 2021

JAMES SUCKLING: "This red has a very pretty focus and transparency, with plums, redcurrants and just a hint of chocolate and hazelnuts. Medium-bodied. Impressive, integrated tannins fold beautifully into the wine. Drink in two or three years."

WEINWISSER: "Verzückendes Bouquet, frische Heidelbeere, helles Graphit, zarte Fliedernote und Preiselbeersaft. Am saftigen Gaumen weiche Textur, fein körniges Extrakt, fein spröde werdend, engmaschiges Tanningerüst und sehniger Körper. Im gebündelten Finale verschlankt sich der St. Estèphe, tiefschürfende Terroirwürze und fein sandige Adstringenz."

DECANTER: "Super ripe and perfumed on the nose. Bright, almost searing on the palate then chalky with a crystalline mineral edged finish. Clean and precise, lacks a touch more density on the mid palate, but this is well worked with balance and a long salty finish. Cool blue fruits are lovely as are the licks of menthol, eucalyptus and flint."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The last vintage made by Basile Tesseron and 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Melot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2021 Château Lafon-Rochet is outstanding stuff that clearly does well in the vintage. Cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and ripe tobacco notes all give way to a medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with fine tannins, solid concentration (especially in the vintage), and a balanced, layered, seamless profile that will evolve nicely for two decades. The tannin quality here is terrific."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Einladende Waldbeerfrucht, zartes Nugat, ein Hauch von Herzkirschen. Mittlere Komplexität, rotbeeriger Touch, frische Säurestruktur, würzige Tannine, ein Hauch von Süße im Abgang, mineralisch-straff im Nachhall, saftiger Rückgeschmack, hat Potenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, mint, espresso, tobacco leaf, herbs, currants, and black raspberries for the core of this medium-bodied, soft, energetic, wine. The palate is lively, with a leafy, herbal, peppery red currant endnote. This is the final vintage for the Tesseron family. Subsequent vintages will be produced by Jackie Lorenzetti, along with the team of Emmanuel Cruse, the new owner of the property. You can expect big things from this wine in the future. Drink from 2025-2040."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Lafon-Rochet offers up aromas of cassis, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium-bodied, supple and charming palate that's seamless and harmonious, framed by soft, powdery tannins, concluding with a minty finish."