Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

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.

James Suckling (92-93)

A firm and linear wine with blackberry and blackcurrant character. Medium body. Creamy. Focused for the vintage. Turns to plums and citrus at the end. From organically grown grapes. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Rocking notes of currants, leafy tobacco, cassis, graphite, and crushed stone nuances all emerge from the 2022 Château Lafon-Rochet, a seriously good, concentrated, powerful expression from this château that has beautiful purity, ripe, building, yet substantial tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need some time, but this is brilliant.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91)

Saturated dark red. Superripe aromas of roasted black raspberry, smoke and game, with a hint of exotic spices. Silky, fat and sweet, with terrific volume. Chewy, concentrated flavors of raspberry, tar, iron and mocha, with just enough acidity to maintain its shape. The rich, sweet tannins reach the front teeth. The crop level was a rather low 32 hectoliters per hectare following a saignee, according to owner Jonathan Maltus, who also makes Teyssier and Le Dome.

Wine Advocate (94)

Showing slightly better from bottle than barrel (and it performed admirably there), the 2010 Laforge emerges from three major soil types in St.-Emilion - gravel, sand and hard limestone. It is largely a Merlot-based wine, with only about 8% Cabernet Franc added in. A big, forceful, classic, full-bodied St.-Emilion with sensational depth, the 2010 displays plenty of black fruit, hints of incense, graphite, and forest floor, and perhaps even a suggestion of black truffle. It is deep, full-bodied, opulently textured, yet the tannic structure comes through in the finish. This is another sensational effort from proprietor Jonathan Malthus. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2032.

Envelop yourself in the rich complexity of the Lafouge Jean & Gilles Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses 2022. Hailing from the sophisticated wine region of Burgundy, France, this Pinot Noir has been cultivated under the expert supervision of the Lafouge family, highly esteemed vignerons. Their traditional, organic farming methods result in full-bodied grapes that imbue the wine with intense varietal character.

Once harvested, the grapes undergo a lengthy fermentation period in wooden barrels, yielding layers of nuanced flavours and a well-rounded tannic structure. The Lafouge Jean & Gilles Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses 2022 rewards the palate with notes of ripe red fruit complemented by subtle hints of spice and earthiness, a testament to its terroir. It's an exceptional wine that perfectly encapsulates the skill, tradition, and passion of its producers. It's an unrivalled choice for connoisseurs seeking the authentic taste of Burgundy's boutique vineyards.

Indulge in the opulence of the Lafouge Jean & Gilles Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses La Parapelle 2022, a masterpiece from the heart of Burgundy. This esteemed producer's distinguished use of traditional viticulture ensures an artisanal tribute to the prestigious Les Duresses terroirs. The vines, nurtured on limestone soils, yield a dignified Pinot Noir grape variety, which is subsequently aged in French oak barrels to amplify its robust character.

The vintage captures the 2022 flavour brilliantly with a delightful ballet of ripe red fruits and earthy undertones on the palate, layered with exquisite tannins for a gratifying finish. The deep velvet hue of this wine accentuates its core of mature fruit intensity. As per its creation's specifics, each glass reiterates Lafouge's commitment to sustainability and unmatched craftsmanship. Unbottle joy with Lafouge Jean & Gilles Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses La Parapelle 2022.

Wine Spectator (92-94)

Beautiful aromas of plums, violets, berries and licorice. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Very pretty indeed. Well-crafted, showing lots of character. Score range: 92-94

Wine Enthusiast (95)

94-96 Barrel sample. Big tannins here, but balanced and equaled by very ripe, immensely black fruit. Acidity playsa good counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit.

Wine Advocate (93)

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. I awarded the 2006 Château Lagrange a very high score when I tasted it from barrel. It does nothing to dispel my optismism in bottle after ten years. It has a lively, quite vivacious bouquet with blackberry, briary, cedar and violet scents, almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine grip in the mouth. The acidity here is well judged, extremely well focused with impressive weight and structure on the finish, backed up by that tobacco-stained fruit. You cannot go wrong with Lagrange in this vintage. Tasted January 2016.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

Finessed, displaying St Julien balance, even a little reserved at first, but studded with oyster shell salinity, firm cassis and blackcurrant fruits, cocoa bean and liquorice. Great quality, impressive depth through the mid palate, a wine for sharing that will make your friends extremely happy. Plenty of appellation typicity, with a juicy finish, this is a buy. 42hl/h yield, 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant.

James Suckling (96)

Loads of tension and form. It can be cellared for decades, but it’s balanced and beautiful already. Lots of blueberry, licorice and blackberry character. Try in 2018.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2014 Lagrange was picked from 25 September until 17 October. It has an impressive bouquet with ample red cherry, cranberry and crushed strawberry fruit mixed with sage and cedar, good vigour and gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and plenty of freshness thanks to that silver bead of acidity. This is a vivid and vivacious Lagrange, one of the most charming and pretty in recent years. Superb. Tasted at the Lagrange vertical at the estate.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2015 Lagrange has a lovely, very finely delineated bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light violet scents that err toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit. This is one of the few with finely chiselled tannins, dovetailing into a marine-tinged finish that is a joy. The 2015 is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2015 Lagrange has a lovely, very finely delineated bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light violet scents that err toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit. This is one of the few with finely chiselled tannins, dovetailing into a marine-tinged finish that is a joy. The 2015 is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)

A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)

A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.

James Suckling (92-93)

A 2017 with serious depth of fruit and firm tannins. Solid center palate. Fresh and long finish. Should come out nicely.

James Suckling (92-93)

A 2017 with serious depth of fruit and firm tannins. Solid center palate. Fresh and long finish. Should come out nicely.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.