2018 Lafon Rochet... 14.5% but seems like the real deal.

[JimHow]

GBF, you liked this, no?
This seems like a serious effort from Lafon Rochet.
Beautiful nose, richly deep purple youthfulness, seems within balance.
I had a 2018 Siran recently that started out very sweet before mellowing out, none of that volatility here.
This seems to be the real deal, sort of the next step up in Lafon Rochet's rise to new heights.
Dare I say it, am I enjoying this more than Pontet Canet?
Now, the Tesserons don't own this anymore, is that correct?

[JimHow]

They don't give these 2018s away, do they.

[Dandersson]

I wonder if St Estephe was/is specially successful in 2018. Ch Lilian Ladouys, Ormes de Pez, and Capbern did great in my opinion.
I have not had Lafon Rochet yet but liked their 2016.

Best, Dan

[jckba]

I own zero Lafon Rochet but with Emanuelle Cruse now managing the estate, I am a little more interested in what may or may not be happening.

I had the ‘96 a couple of weeks back and aromatically it was charming but a little too one dimensional / boring on the palate. 89

[JimHow]

I was enjoying my 2018 Bordeaux this evening until I read an article from Ian's favorite magazine, the Economist, on the impending nuclear catastrophe, and then I spat out all 14.5% of it...

https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022 ... id=1086238

[Dandersson]

Jim it is hard times in the world for sure. I know I might have to return to my home country to defend it from the very threat that I grew up with.
Life is not easy for sure. But the love for food and wine and the fact that most people want the same thing, being loved and love someone helps me in these dark times. The world survived two world wars, a pandemic and the depression. We will get through this also.

Best, Dan

[JimHow]

I watched Fail Safe recently, Danny, filmed in 1962, while JFK was alive, released in 1964, after he was gone. Absolutely amazing how contemporary, and terrifying, the story seems today, 60 years later.

[JimHow]

Loved the 2018 Lafon Rochet despite the impending holocaust, will buy (hoard) another 6 bottles on sale in NH.... Good stuff, for the cold winter coming....

[Nicklasss]

Look good Jim.

I don't know if i'm looking forward my next 2018 Bordeaux or not, after that disastrous 2018 Capbern i had a few weeks ago. Ah well, maybe my palate is switching slowly to Bourg........

[ericp]

Disappointing Nick, because the ‘16 Capbern is fantastic!

[Nicklasss]

Yes i know Eric. I was expecting the 2018 to be having something in common with the 2016, that like you, i have found great.

I still have some 2018, will re-try it in what, 5 or 8 years?

[ericp]

I must confess, I’ve already “How’d” a case of the 16

[William P]

I thought the 16 was better than the 18.

[JimHow]

We’ll done, Eric. Very well done indeed!
Agreed on the 16 and 18 comparison, Bill.
I’ve got a half dozen of the 16s in my cellar.
I’ve got a bunch of 14s as well.

[Nicklasss]

I must confess, I’ve already “How’d” a case of the 16

Like you, i've How'd all my 2016 Capbern as well. Couldn't resist at all.

[AKR]

I own zero Lafon Rochet but with Emanuelle Cruse now managing the estate, I am a little more interested in what may or may not be happening.

I had the ‘96 a couple of weeks back and aromatically it was charming but a little too one dimensional / boring on the palate. 89

My take on the 96 after maybe a half dozen bottles over the years has been that it was - strangely - early evolving. I still have some left.

[JimHow]

Agreed. 1996 Lafon Rochet was a BWE favorite in the early days and is a perfect example of why Bordeaux should be consumed in the Parkerian 8-20 year range.

[JimHow]

The 8-20 year rule for Bordeaux consumption is known as the Parker-Rychlewski Postulate, or the PR Rule for short.

[Jay Winton]

Agreed. 1996 Lafon Rochet was a BWE favorite in the early days and is a perfect example of why Bordeaux should be consumed in the Parkerian 8-20 year range.

The BWE devils enabled me into a case of the 96, all drunk. Very good not great. Less than $300, those days are long gone

[StBlGT]

How would these 18's compare to the 15's? I almost pulled the trigger on the 18's, but was hesitant on the vintage. Do the 18's come across more ripe than the 15's, or vise versa? I seem to like the 15's more than I thought I would, but curious if 18 is silimar...I have not had any as of yet.

[JimHow]

I haven't had many '18s yet, StB, I liked the 2018 Lafon Rochet but may prefer the 16 by a notch.
The 2018 Siran appeared incredibly sweet initially but settled down into a lovely wine.
I've also enjoyed the '18 La Dame de Montrose, Haut Brisson, and Langoa Barton.
They are big and ripe, but seem not to be over the top.

[StBlGT]

Thanks, Jim. Good to know. Maybe I will get some. I think for 18 I am grabbing the Leoville Barton, Langoa Barton, La Dame, Lafon, and d'Issan.

All of these positive threads about the 19's makes me want to go light on 18 and heavy on 19. Cheers!

[JimHow]

That is indeed my strategy, StB, I got like a bottle each of a few of the usual suspects from 2018, including the ones you mentioned, awaiting the arrival of the 2019s...

[Dandersson]

I like the 18s so far but if you are sensitive to high alcohol you may not like them. I don't find 18 overripe, though they are ripe and very concentrated.
In my opinion 16 is better than 14 that is better than 18, for me 11, 15 and 17 are weaker/ lower quality vintages ( still very good).
I would not buy large quantities of any 18 with out tasting it first.

Best, Dan

[ericp]

Agreed. 1996 Lafon Rochet was a BWE favorite in the early days and is a perfect example of why Bordeaux should be consumed in the Parkerian 8-20 year range.

It was indeed, long since gone from my cellar. I did save a 3L for my oldests HS graduation party, which of course, was cancelled by Covid .

[JimHow]

Yes Eric, I remember sourcing a lot of bottles of 1996 Lafon Rochet from places like Garnet, Zachy's and NH back in the early days of BWE.
Other early favorites were 1996 Pontet Canet and 1996 Sociando. I wonder if we can remember the wines we brought to the famous Harvard class in spring 2004....

[ericp]

That’s right! And of course the 96 Sociando - Picked up 2 cases back in the day at Big Y of all places.

Oh boy, that Harvard class was a hot minute ago! If I recall, we tried to bring things from all the appellations for then to sample. I know we had Lynch, didn’t Mike bring the 89(?!?!), du Tertre, Gruaud Larose. LeoB or P?

[JimHow]

I brought the 83 Lafite, 89 Lynch, and 86 Gruaud Larose I remember, Mike led a tasting of the Lynch. Those Harvard kids drank well that day.