A balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (47%) and Merlot, with a slight addition of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like the terroir, the wine is classic in its deep ruby colour and elegant bouquet, combining mixed black fruit, sweet spices and pepper. Solid and tastes harmonious with seven years of bottle ageing—medium finish, delicate palate, stuffed, structured. Excellent value. Medium to medium-deep, ruby-red colour. There is good, fresh acidity & balanced alcohol, but the astringent tannins leave the finish very lean.
One score is 91 by GG, who wrote on the vintage, 'Beautifully dense colour. Deep, black fruit nose with delicate roasted coffee notes. Powerful palate. A full-bodied wine, still a little vigorous, should become a delicious bottle.' (edited). Awarded 2006 a 92RP, Parker et al. wrote, ' The 2006 Cantemerle was the surprise package of the blind tasting at Farr Vintners' horizontal. It has a conservative nose with rosemary and undergrowth scents that open nicely in the glass but retain a sense of classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, lightly spiced red berry fruit, sage and white pepper, quite persistent on the finish, which feels very pure. What an outstanding 2006 Claret - a Cantemerle that punches well above its weight. Tasted April 2016. Drink Date 2016 - 2030'.
Lafon is my primer to Bordeaux's structure, density and power. Finese, probably not. The three vintages here point to the classic style of Lafon Rochet. Neal Martin on vintage 2000 touches on the grand manner of Lafon Rochet.; James Suckling on the 2003 roundness and longevity; Tim Atkins on the broodiness though it lacked finesse.
92 points, Neal Martin's Wine Journal: "A very dense, quite opulent plum-scented nose with briary, blueberry, a touch of hoi sin and macerated cherries. Good lift and definition. Full-bodied, rich, dense black fruits with thick, chewy tannins. Dense structure, significant weight and persistence with a succulent blackberry finish. Still very primal with a long future ahead. Superb. Drink 2012-2025. " Edited.
93 points, James Suckling
Decadent and rich with a meaty and ripe fruit aroma. Full, dense, and juicy, with round, velvety tannins and a long finish. A big burly wine. Pull the cork after 2015; this needs time. Edited.
93 points Time Atkins. This 2011 Lafon Rochet isn't a wine for the fainthearted, but you must admire how it screams St Estèphe at the top of its voice: brooding, super rich and very tannic. The oak is perhaps a bit heavy-handed, but there's plenty of sweet, fleshy plum and cassis fruit, too. An ambitious wine that should soak up the barrel staves in the bottle. 10+ years. Edited.
Giscours is the flagship of Labarde. While firmly grounded on a THiurd Growth, where does Giscours stand? As the owner said, Giscours is-'A nul autre' -meaning second to none. But is it an indictment of the consumer's Sourvein? One just cannot say they are good and believe they are good. Mainly when there are controversial opinions. Views are diversified. But A Labarde shall always need time, the tannins are firm, absolutely a masculine Margaux that may need time to resolve the tannins. NM seems to have grasped the tasting right' at the Chateau Giscours vertical, the 2003 Chateau Giscours is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Considering the vintage, the aromatics have retained a reasonable degree of freshness, although it is not as nuanced or complex as the previous two vintages. It offers redcurrant, leather and a touch of dark chocolate, perhaps reflecting the growing season more than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin. This is a little lactic on the mouth, smooth if not complex, but there is no flabbiness marking the finish, and it offers decent length. Drink it over the next 5-8 years. So it is a wine to savour now.
The controversial comments and scores are as follows. So Let buyers be aware.
90 points Decanter
The wine has held up well and is one of the better examples from this hot, dry vintage. There's some brick at the rim, and the nose is a little flat with just a hint of dark pastille fruit and liquorice. There's a sweetness to the palate, and the tannins are a little chunky and dry, but there's still apparent fruit and that natural freshness to balance the apparent warmth of the year. (JL) (7/2021) Edited.
90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2003 Château Giscours is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Considering the vintage, the aromatics have retained a reasonable degree of freshness, although it is not as nuanced or complex as the previous two vintages. It offers redcurrant, leather and a touch of dark chocolate, perhaps reflecting the growing season more than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin. This is a little lactic on the mouth, smooth if not complex, but there is no flabbiness marking the finish, and it offers decent length. (NM) (7/2016)
90 Wine Spectator
Aromas of blackberry, black olives and liquorice. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and nicely done. Edited.