2023 Château Lafon-Rochet En Primeur
"...plenty of Lafon-Rochet finesse, with an added kick of textural richness not found in the wines made during the Tesseron era...93-95 points." (AG)
"The 2023 marks another major step forward for Haut-Batailley. 93-96 points." (AG)
Released for sale en primeur today are Châteaux Lafon-Rochet at £330 per dozen and Haut-Batailley at £432 per dozen.
Lafon-Rochet is offered with a 21.4% reduction on last year's release price, with several critics commenting on a new depth and texture since Lorenzetti's team has taken over from the Tesseron family. The new Managing Director, Christophe Congé, was formerly the oenologist for Château Lafite Rothschild for 22 years. You can read more about the exciting developments at this estate, below.
Offered en primeur, on allocation. Landing spring 2026.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge per six. Please enquire for other formats.
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Lafon-Rochet
Château Lafon-Rochet is a Quatrièmes Cru Classé in St-Estèphe, owned by the Tesseron family, who made their fortune in Cognac and who also own Pontet-Canet. The estate was founded in 1650, when Antoinette de Guillemotte brought the land of Rochette as her dowry to her husband, Pierre de Lafon. When the Tesserons bought the estate in 1959 it was badly run-down, with just 17 hectares of vines.
Production was modernised under Michel Tesseron from 2000 (he also painted the château in its distinctive Mediterranean yellow). Today the estate has 45 ha of vines and is run on organic and biodynamic lines by Michel's son, Basile Tesseron. He is also making ground-breaking efforts to re-wild the estate, planting trees and shrubs and encouraging biodiversity.
Below is a charming animation that illustrates the superb location and terroirs at Lafon-Rochet:
| RED | 2023 | Château Lafon Rochet | 75cl | £330 per case of 12 | Château Lafon Rochet 2023 / / 75cl £330 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Generous and layered, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet offers up aromas of blackberries, cassis, incense and burning embers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping palate that's gourmand and charming, concluding with a gently minty finish. Like the 2023, this represents a richer, more demonstrative style for this Saint-Estèphe property, where Christophe Congé and his team are rehabilitating the vineyards. 91-93 points." (WK), Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"The 2023 Lafon-Rochet was picked from September 13 to October 5 at 42hL/ha with no saignée. It contains 4% Petit Verdot, as there was more water during the growing season (which Petit Verdot needs—. Matured in 40% new oak, this has quite an intense bouquet with mainly black fruit, hints of graphite and chimney soot, nicely focused though it needs time to absorb the wood. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame the layered blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with white pepper and pencil shavings. This errs slightly toward Pauillac on the finish, which is no surprise given its proximity. Displaying moderate length, this is a fine but grippy, denser Lafon-Rochet that should give 20 years or more of drinking pleasure. 2029-2047. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH. 93-94 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"2023 Lafon-Rochet is a promising wine. Today, it shows terrific depth, driven by an elevated presence of Cabernet Sauvignon and a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. Dark blue-toned fruit, lavender, licorice and dried herbs show tons of character. There's plenty of Lafon-Rochet finesse, but with an added kick of textural richness not found in the wines made during the Tesseron era. This comes together beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. 2030-2055. 93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24 |
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