1986 Lafon Rochet

The 1986 Lafon-Rochet is beginning to look its age after 30 years with some noticeable bricking on the rim. The nose felt a little fatigued compared to previous bottles, certainly falling short of the 1996 (the aromatics is one aspect of Lafon-Rochet that Basile Tesseron has addressed in recent vintages). The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of roundness on the ferrous entry. It is a light Saint Estèphe, nicely balanced with orange peel and marjoram, but it is missing density and vigor. Well-stored bottles and/or large formats will offer some drinking pleasure, but bottles should be popped open in the near future. Tasted July 2016.

On numerous occasions this wine seemed forbiddingly tannic from cask and virtually impossible to evaluate, but it has turned out to be one of the estate's best wines made during the eighties. Deep ruby/purple, with a full-intensity, smoky, spicy, rich, curranty bouquet, this full-bodied, powerful, tannic wine will handsomely repay those who have the patience to cellar it for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 2/90.Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1

The 1986 Lafon-Rochet is beginning to look its age after 30 years with some noticeable bricking on the rim. The nose felt a little fatigued compared to previous bottles, certainly falling short of the 1996 (the aromatics is one aspect of Lafon-Rochet that Basile Tesseron has addressed in recent vintages). The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of roundness on the ferrous entry. It is a light Saint Estephe, nicely balanced with orange peel and marjoram, but it is missing density and vigor. Well-stored bottles and/or large formats will offer some drinking pleasure, but bottles should be popped open in the near future. Tasted July 2016. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com