Overview
Chateau Lafon-Rochet is located in the Saint-Estèphe region of Bordeaux. Today there are 45 hectares of vineyards here, of which 40 hectares surround the château, while the remaining 5 hectares lie in a single plot approximately 1 kilometer to the north. The vineyards around the château sit on a plateau which they share with the vineyards of Cos d’Estournel and Cos Labory.
History
Lafon-Rochet’s history dates back to the 17th century. The property was then known as Domaine Rochet and belonged to Antoinette Guillemotes who renamed the estate Château Lafon-Rochet after her marriage with Etienne de Lafon. The Tesseron family took over the estate in 1960. When in 1960 Guy Tesseron (a master of old Cognac) took over the property, he had to start from scratch and rebuild the whole property. Thus began Chateau Lafon Rochet’s rebirth.
Michel Tesseron first decided to renovate and modernize all the technical equipment necessary for production, like the magnificent circular, wooden wine cellar. In so doing he preserved the family’s core values of sharing, respecting the vines and vineyard and thus fulfilled his father’s dream. In 2007, Basile Tesseron joined his father in order to continue the work started by his grandfather, who had already initiated the young Basile into the subtleties of the aromas and flavors of cognac.
With passion, humor and ambition, Basile pursued the work of his predecessors, enabling Lafon-Rochet to live on through the centuries. He began by redesigning the vat room of the property, and reviving the quest for excellence and quality in keeping with the exceptional terroir.
The Terroir
Acreage: 41 hectares
Soil: 3 different types: clay on gravel, clay, and sand.
Grape Varieties: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Harvest: Manual
Vine Density: 9,000 vines/hectare
Average Age of the Vines: 37 years old
Average Yield: 40-50 Hl/Ha
Vinification
The grapes are always harvested by hand; an experimental venture using machines for the harvest was carried out in 1986 but was deemed a failure. The grapes are sorted twice before fermentation in stainless steel vats which range in size from 230 hectoliters down to 20 hectoliters. The temperature is controlled to a maximum of 30ºC, with pumping over to submerge the cap as required. Subsequently, the wine is macerated for up to 2 weeks, before malolactic fermentation in tanks and barrels. The entire crop is aged for up to 20 months in oak barrels, half of which are new wood for each vintage. The wine undergoes fining or light filtration prior to bottling.
Chateau Lafon Rochet Saint-Estèphe
Overview: The grapes used for this wine come from the oldest vines of the vineyard; they bear less fruit but offer greater complexity. Lafon-Rochet is a wine that is both simple and complex-it expresses aromas of black fruit in most vintages. This is truly a blend with features specific to Saint-Estèphe, a certain warmth and roundness, full of delicacy coming from the Merlot grape varietal.
Production Area: 45 hectares
Average Yield: 44 hl/hectare
Soil: Deep gravel and clay
Average Age of the Vines: 40 years old
Grape Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Harvest: By hand into small crates
Aging: 16-18 months in light to medium toast French oak barrels (50% new wood)
Winemaker Notes: “The nose is pleasing, open, fruity, and oaky with notes of fresh pepper. The wine is agreeable and elegant in the mouth, with a subtle attack despite the boldness and power of the mid-palate and finish. The aromas are fruity, smoky and salty. This is a well-made and nicely structured wine.”
Food Pairings: Meat dishes and barbecue
La Chapelle de Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estèphe
*Second wine of Chateau Lafon-Rochet
Production Area: 40 hectares
Age of the Vineyard: 15 years old
Annual Production: 10,000 bottles
Grape Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Harvest: Manually done
Vinification: The grape juice is left in vat anywhere between 15 days to 3 weeks. Fermentation lasts 6-8 days in thermo-regulated tanks.
Aging: The wine is matured in casks for 15-20 months in 40% new wood. Light fining is done using egg shells.
Tasting Notes: This second wine of Lafon-Rochet is rich, full, and concentrated; well-balanced and smooth on the palate.