We’d like to highlight the side-by-side blockbusters of Lafon Rochet: the sultry 2009 and structured 2010.

Lafon-Rochet has slowly but surely become one of the most exciting estates in the Médoc, converting to biodynamic and organic practices and harnessing the enthusiasm of a young team headed by Basile Tesseron. The vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 56%, Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 4%) lie on clay-gravel soils and are superbly sited in the south of the commune opposite Château Lafite. The wines are matured in oak barriques (40% new) for 18 months. In the last decade or so, improved viticultural techniques and a greater percentage of Merlot in the final blend has led to purer expressions of fruit and the wines being generally more supple and elegant.

These original cases are sourced directly from their respective properties and until now had never left Bordeaux.

2009 Lafon Rochet $98 bottle
93 Points Wine Advocate “This is a strong performance from Lafon-Rochet. There is a lot of high class new oak on the nose here, but there is plenty of ripe black fruit to support it: dark plum, blackcurrant and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense, grippy entry and a rather saturnine mid-palate. Closed, broody, obdurate and yet there is certainly decent weight of fruit here. At the moment it is unapologetically charmless but its time will come. Kudos Basile Tesseron.” — Neal Martin, Jan 2013

2010 Lafon Rochet $75 bottle
94 Points Wine Advocate “Wow - this Saint Estephe appears to be just getting into its stride. This seems reticent on the nose at first, but modest coaxing reveals scents of blackberry mixed with gravel and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, firm tannins and a pleasant salty tang on the finish. Masculine and structured, with good persistency and a lovely austere personality, Basile Tesseron and his team have overseen an aloof but engaging Lafon-Rochet that could be the dark horse of the appellation.” — Neal Martin, Jan 2014