Lafon Rochet 2003

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. Drink 2014-2019

Wild and exotic wine. Blackberry and light jam character. Big and juicy. Full-bodied and long. Velvety.

A sleeper of the vintage, the dense blue/purple-colored 2003 Lafon-Rochet exhibits plenty of blackberry, cassis and graphite along with a touch of toasty new oak. The wine is more backward than expected, but it possesses full-bodied, concentrated flavors as well as good elegance, purity, and overall equilibrium. This is a long-distance runner. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

A successful effort for this chateau (whose flamboyant orange/yellow facade resembles a Las Vegas cat house), the 2003 Lafon-Rochet’s saturated ruby/purple color is followed by a broad, expansive wine with copious quantities of jammy blackberry and cassis fruit, and hints of underbrush, licorice, and earth. With medium to full body, low acidity, and a long finish, this sleeper of the vintage should drink well for 15+ years.