1986 Chateau Lafon Rochet 拉芳羅謝

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.