4th Classified Growth from the Saint-Estephe appellation, Chateau Lafon-Rochet is a vineyard that covers 40 hectares. The terroir is composed of gravel and clay. The vines are mature, and perfect for producing fine wine. The average vine planted is 30 years old. The wine is aged in barrels (50% new) for a duration of 14-16 months. The final blend for the 2016 vintage is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Chateau Lafon-Rochet 2016 is a slightly sweet wine and is extremely fruity. A guilty pleasure, to drink. In the mouth, the wine has an excellent length marrying power and exceptionally smooth structured tannins. The upkeep of the wines, the quality of the terroir, and the weather make 2016 Lafon-Rochet a wine for the ages.
The 2016 Lafon Rochet is a blend of 25% Merlot, 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc cropped at 46 hectoliters per hectare and matured in 50% new oak. The harvest was between 1 October and 20 October. The alcohol is 13.6%, which is just a little higher here than say Cos d'Estournel or Montrose. It has a very succinct bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light oyster shell aromas, classic in style, more reserved than I found the 2015 Lafon Rochet last year. The palate is medium-bodied with powerful tannin on the entry, a keen line of acidity (3.65 pH), fine symmetry with a pleasant rondeur on the finish sprinkled with black pepper and tobacco. This is a very fine Lafon Rochet from Basile Tesseron and his team.