2003 Château Lafon-Rochet
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Tasting notes
The 2003 Lafon-Rochet has a ripe bouquet of mulberry, crushed strawberry and licorice. It's slightly Mediterranean in style. The palate is a bit tough on the one-dimensional entry, with grainy tannins and an austere, leathery finish. Difficult comparing this with the nascent 2022, and I feel this was drinking better several years ago. Tasted at the château.
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More reviews and scores
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.
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.
About the producer
Instantly recognisable for its sunshine-yellow château and labels, Ch. Lafon-Rochet is a Fourth Growth Saint-Estèphe estate renowned for its age-worthy wines. Quality at the property has increased significantly over the last two decades and, with new owners from 2021, this will only continue.