The 38 hectares vineyard of Lafon Rochet is planted to 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are kept at 37 years of age. Their terroir is mostly gravel, clay, sand, limestone, and marl soils. Part of what makes their terroir unique is that some of the clay in their vineyards is the same type of hard, blue clay found in Pomerol at Pétrus.
The Cabernet Sauvignon vinification takes place in concrete tanks. The Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot are vinified in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of new oak barrels and tanks or vats. The wine of Château Lafon-Rochet 1855 Classified Fourth Growth is then aged in 55% new, French oak barrels for 9 months before the wine is moved to one-year-old barrels, where it remains for an additional 9 months of aging before bottling.
"Cigar box, earth, cedar wood, spice and fresh red fruits really sing out here. Full-bodied and loaded with ripe, red pit fruits, the wine has length and character. Age this for 5-7 years and drink it over the next 2 decades or more."