Lafon Rochet

History of Château Lafon-Rochet

Château Lafon-Rochet traces its origins to the 16th century when it was part of the vast fief of Vallée Roussillon. However, it wasn't until 1650 that the estate took its current name, following the marriage of Antoinette de Guillemotes and Étienne de Lafon, a counsellor at the Bordeaux Parliament. The Lafon family would remain owners of the estate for over two centuries, gradually developing its vineyard and increasing the reputation of its wines.

In 1855, during the Paris Universal Exhibition, Château Lafon-Rochet was classified as a Fourth Growth in the famous Médoc Grand Cru classification, an honour that already attested to the excellence of its wines. However, the end of the 19th century marked a period of decline with numerous changes in ownership, affecting the quality of the wines.

The turning point came in 1960 with the acquisition of the estate by Guy Tesseron, a famous cognac producer. Visionary and passionate, he undertook a vast restructuring of the vineyard and had the château rebuilt, offering a new yellow chartreuse, now an emblematic symbol of the estate. In 1999, his son Michel Tesseron took over the reins of the estate, followed by his son Basile in 2007, who further modernised the facilities. In 2021, a new era began with the acquisition of the estate by the Lorenzetti family, who also own prestigious châteaux such as Château Pédesclaux and Château d'Issan.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Lafon-Rochet

The terroir of Château Lafon-Rochet spans 45 hectares in a single block on the left bank, a rare asset in the Saint-Estèphe region. This estate is situated between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, which gives the soils remarkable diversity. On one side, Quaternary gravels ensure excellent natural drainage, ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. On the other, blue clays deposited later retain water optimally for Merlot vines, allowing a perfect balance of water resources. These unique geological characteristics are key to the estate's identity.

The vineyard is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (48%) and Merlot (45%), accompanied by small parcels of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, each bringing a unique dimension to the final blend. The average age of the vines is 38 years, with some century-old parcels, an important factor for the complexity and depth of the wines produced.

Since 2020, Château Lafon-Rochet has been committed to converting to organic agriculture. This choice stems from an awareness of ecological issues and the desire to preserve the local environment. Moreover, a vast agroecological project, begun in 2019, aims to recreate ecological corridors within the vines, promoting biodiversity and preserving soil fertility.

Vinification at Château Lafon-Rochet

At Château Lafon-Rochet, harvesting is done manually, with a team of about 40 harvesters from northern Portugal who have been coming for nearly 30 years. Each plot is carefully harvested, preserving the purity and integrity of the grapes. Two modern cellars, one concrete and the other stainless steel, allow for vinification adapted to each grape variety.

The vinification remains very traditional, with a gentle maceration of about three weeks to delicately extract tannins and aromas. Malolactic fermentations are partially done in barrels, adding complexity to the wine. The first wine of Château Lafon-Rochet is then aged for 12 to 14 months in exclusively French oak barrels, a large proportion of which are new.

These techniques allow for preserving the identity of each grape variety and each plot, while offering the wines aromatic depth, precise tannic structure, and great elegance.

The Cuvées of Château Lafon-Rochet

Château Lafon-Rochet offers two main cuvées: the Grand Vin du Château Lafon-Rochet and the Second Wine, Les Pèlerins de Lafon-Rochet.

Grand Vin du Château Lafon-Rochet

The estate's first wine is composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, sometimes reaching 70% of the blend depending on the vintage, as is the case for recent wines. This wine perfectly reflects the character of the Saint-Estèphe terroir: a powerful but refined tannic structure, aromas of black fruits, leather, and spices, as well as subtle notes of wood. It evolves beautifully in the bottle, developing complex tertiary aromas of undergrowth and truffle over time. Elegant, fresh, and with a beautiful tension, this wine is a perfect example of the great growths of Saint-Estèphe.

Les Pèlerins de Lafon-Rochet

The estate's second wine, Les Pèlerins de Lafon-Rochet, is made with a higher proportion of Merlot, thus offering a more supple, gourmet, and fruity wine. More accessible than the Grand Vin, it seduces with its notes of red fruits, roundness, and freshness. This wine is ideal for younger consumption while offering excellent value for money.

The wines of Saint-Estèphe, a prestigious appellation of the Bordeaux vineyard, are distinguished by their elegance and longevity. Among the finest vintages are the years 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which have impressed wine enthusiasts with their power and complexity. The following decades have not been outdone, with exceptional vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and more recently 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These years have confirmed Saint-Estèphe's ability to produce wines combining finesse and depth, emblematic of the Bordeaux terroir.

Discover the full range of Fourth Classified Growths from Bordeaux, each one representing the richness of the Médoc's prestigious terroirs. In Saint-Julien, explore the wines of Château Beychevelle, Château Branaire-Ducru, and Château Talbot. In Pauillac, Château Duhart-Milon offers wines with the typical character of the appellation, while Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe provides robust vintages. In the Haut-Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet stands out, while Margaux's reputation is upheld by estates such as Château Marquis de Terme, Château Pouget, Château Prieuré-Lichine, and Château Saint-Pierre. Each of these estates reflects, in its own way, the unique identity of the Fourth Growths.

Château Lafon-Rochet is much more than just a wine estate. With a rich history, exceptional terroirs, and a strong commitment to the environment, it continues to stand out among the classified growths of Bordeaux. Under the direction of the Lorenzetti family, the future looks promising, with a desire to perpetuate excellence while innovating to face climate challenges. Whether you choose the Grand Vin for its elegance and complexity or the second wine for its gourmand character, Château Lafon-Rochet offers wines that will appeal to all fine wine enthusiasts.