Here’s a St.-Estèphe that’s really appealing young but also has good aging potential. Great balance between crisp acidity, ripe fruit and elegant dry tannins. The finish is long and rather subtle. Hard not to drink now.

The 2014 Lafon-Rochet has a quintessential Saint-Estèphe nose with black fruit, balsam, red fruit, cigar box and incense. The palate is fleshy and open with fine-grain tannins and well-judged acidity. It's harmonious and poised, with just the right amount of dryness on the finish. This is drinking beautifully now but has the substance to age. Tasted at the Lafon-Rochet vertical at the property. June 2023

This delivers a direct beam of red and black currant fruit mixed with a note of blood orange. Picks up tobacco and warm stone accents through the finish. JM

Tasted blind. Deep ruby and quite youthful looking. Fragrant and dark-fruited, nicely leafy. Firm, intense, slightly minty dark fruit on the palate. Sustained and for the longer term. GV (JH)

Deep purplish crimson. Cabernet Franc-like freshness on the nose. Racy and juicy and gentle. I really underestimated this. Great pace. Not sweet but with lovely energy. Long. Long barrique ageing – 18 months. (JR)

Dark fruit with a heady, spirity sort of nose. Heavy fruit and soft tannin. Overall has a somewhat lumbering character and finishes with a sour aftertaste. (RH)