| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This 61 hectare Saint Emilion property is situated on a plateau of clay on asteria limestone.
The 2023 is made from nearly all Merlot with a dash of Cabernet Franc
A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Laroque is broodier and more introverted than expected, revealing aromas of smoke, licorice, gentian and dark wild berries. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and dense, it is structured around a compact core of fruit framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, ethereal and saline finish. Two to four years in bottle should allow it to unwind. Drink 2030-2043.
Highly polished on the nose and palate, this is a slick, succulent effort from Laroque. The palate is supple with sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit, the fine tannins unobtrusive to the ripe core. Perhaps a little international, but the fruit drive is impressive and will be crowd-pleasing.
This is full and substantial, with firm tannins and a crunchy finish. Lots of blue fruit, blackberry, crushed-stone and mineral character. Very structured. 99% merlot and 1% cabernet franc.
The 2023 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a touch closed to start off, with reluctant scents of cedar and tar eventually opening out to a core of ripe black and red plums, Bing cherries, and fragrant earth plus a waft of violets. The medium-bodied palate delivers great tension and beautifully ripe, rounded tannins to support the red and black berry flavors, finishing on a floral note. The blend is 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Medium intensity ruby, this is a little reserved at first, in the best way, in that it has the hidden depths that are just so promising during En Primeur, real sense of sapidity, squid ink, violet reflections, extremely vibrant, really like this, blueberry, sage, slate, lift on the finish, delicious. Beaumartin family, David Suire winemaker.
Cask sample. Good colour. Dark-fruit aroma with a fresh, chalky edge. Smooth, well-worked tannins and persistence on the finish. Limestone terroir clearly marked. Perhaps a tad light in fruit weight. (JL)
Drink 2028 – 2038
Exhibiting aromas of dark, minty berries, bay leaf and creamy new oak, the 2023 Laroque is medium to full-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins and a penetrating, mineral finish.
