Lafon Rochet 2003

The wine is almost entirely opaque and has a deep, dark ruby-red colour. On the nose, dark fruit aromas are dominant, with earthy notes and toasty oak. The palate offers indistinct black fruit of medium weight, along with attractive cedary oak and vanilla hints. The acidity is a bit flat, and the alcohol is slightly warming. The fruit flavour lingers, but the tannins give length to the finish. 

James Suckling awarded it 93 points, describing it as decadently rich with a meaty and ripe fruit aroma. He called it full, dense, and juicy, with round, velvety tannins and a long finish, labelling it a big burly wine. He suggested it should be opened after 2015, as it needs time to mature. Edited. 

Neal Martin awarded it 91 points, noting its good deep red-ruby colour and extravagantly ripe, exotic aromas of roasted dark fruits and roasted meat. He described it as large-scaled, fat, complete, and atypically sweet, nicely balanced by harmonious acidity. He praised its smooth tannins and excellent palate-saturating length, stating it's a great vintage for this chateau. 

Wine Spectator awarded it 90 points, saying it presents fascinating aromas of crushed blackberry and lightly smoky barrels. It's full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium finish. While it may feel tight now, it's a balanced wine that promises to evolve beautifully with time. Edited. 

Wine Advocate writes, 'The 2003 Lafon Rochet is fully mature, round, soft, and reasonably complex. It exhibits notes of cedarwood, liquorice, Christmas fruitcake, and a delightful blend of red and black fruits. The tannins are resolved in this medium-bodied, low-acid St.-Estephe, making it a wine to savour over the next 4-5 years. Edited.