Lafon-Rochet St-Estèphe 2020

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb. Drink: 2030-2050. (Feb 2023)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Flowers, cigar wrapper, wet earth, smoke, chocolate, blackberries and red pit fruits open the nose. But, it is on the palate, where the wine really shines with all of its layers of full-bodied, concentrated, long, dark, round, energetic, creamy, plush, ripe, fruits. The finish is long, clean and vibrant with a creamy textured endnote that will be even better once the minor amount of oak remaining has fully integrated. This is the final vintage from the Tesseron family who brought in the harvest and vinified the wine. The new owner, Jacky Lorenzetti, along with Emmanuel Cruse finished the wine. Starting with the 2021 vintage, the new owners were fully in charge. Drink from 2024-2045. (Mar 2023)"

93-95 points Wine Enthusiast "Barrel Sample. Richly structured, powered by dark tannins and rich blackberry fruits, this estate has produced a very fine wine this vintage. The structure is considerable while keeping fruitiness and fine acidity in focus. The wine will certainly age well."

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2020 Lafon-Rochet has a very delineated and fresh bouquet of marine-infused black fruit, crushed stone and a touch of pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of fruit concentration and real weight in the mouth. Notes of black pepper and red fruit linger through the persistent yet backward finish. This will require serious aging. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink 2030-2055. (Jan 2024)."

94 points Panos Kakaviatos (Decanter): "Crafted by former owner Basile Tesseron, the wine has a pleasingly silky, polished and smooth aspect, reflecting irresistible Cabernet-driven graphite and bright red and black fruit. Sheer pleasure! What I like most is the ripe polish without the modern gloss. Enjoy with baked aubergine or roast chicken. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. (2/23/23)."

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc). Beautifully dark damson plum in colour, some austerity evident on the tannins, focus on raspberry leaf, pyrazine tomato leaf that gives lift with eucaluptus and mint freshness. Good quality firm tannins, lacks generosity right now, but this is an excellent quality wine with great potential for ageing. The last full year under the Tesseron family, before selling to Jacky Lorenzetti in 2021. Jean-Claude Berrouet and Eric Boissenot consulants. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2028-2044. (1/10/23)"

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Showing the pretty, elegant style of the vintage, the 2020 Château Lafon-Rochet exbibits a ruby/purple hue to go with a perfumed bouquet of ripe black cherries, spring flowers, graphite, and violets. Medium-bodied and elegant, with firm tannins, it needs 4-6 years of bottle age and should evolve for two decades in cold cellars. Drink: 2027-2037. (3/29/23)"

93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "A poignant vintage for Basile Tesseron, as this was the last in which he ran Lafon-Rochet;by the time of the 2021 harvest, it was in the hands of Jacky Lorenzetti. His swansong vintage kicks off with a nose bursting with toasty, perfumed new oak on the nose, with dark berry fruits behind. The palate is full, polished and plump, and filled out with dark and rather toasted fruits, beneath which there is a rich undercurrent of crystalline red plum and pepper. It doesn’t quite have the density or conviction of some vintages of Lafon-Rochet I have enjoyed in recent years, but it is still a fine result rom Basile, and a fitting end to his tenure of this property. The alcohol is declared to be 13.5%. (Dec 2022)"