I love finding bottles like this and paying a fraction of what a recent vintage would cost. Lafon-Rochet was one of the first real nice Bordeaux I had when I started enjoying wine. Nice to see that it can still impress.
1996 Château Lafon-Rochet- France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (8/11/2011)
Previously had this wine a few times back in 2006 and enjoyed it quite a lot. Now, 5 years later, it seems to be even better. Very little sign of age in the color but the nose definitely shows the funky earthiness that I love in aged wines from St. Estephe. Very smooth and rustic on the palate with a good mix of dark fruits and earth. Only a slight influence from the tannins towards the finish. Lots of sediment so it gets a little muddy when you are at the end of the bottle. (92 pts.)
Thanks for the update. I have a bunch of these, it’s always been nicely aromatic. The last one I had was still not at peak, about 2.5 years ago. What’s it time line now, fully ready to go?
It was pretty good right from the start. I have a few more bottles and I think the only thing I would do next time is try to decant off the sediment. Sitting in the decanter during dinner wouldn’t hurt.
Thanks for the note. Coincidentally, I had pulled this very bottle earlier this afternoon to bring to a party later this evening. Good to hear that it’s performing well!
We had another bottle of this over the last few nights…it showed very well. There has been some variation in recent years with my supply, despite all having been purchased on release.
I was surprised with how rich, how fruity it was. Tannin resolved, but a bit of sediment.