| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A terrific effort from an estate that was long one of Saint-Émilion's sleeping giants, the 2019 Laroque unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, licorice, loamy soil, rose petals and sweet tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with succulent aids, powdery tannins and a seamless, integrated profile. It's well worth seeking out. Drink Date 2025 - 2049
The 2019 Laroque, composed of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It sports cedary overtones to start off, giving way to notes of stewed black plums, blueberry pie, and Chinese five spice with hints of crushed rocks and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate has a formidable backbone of firm tannins, with a lively line and muscular fruit, finishing long. This one is built for the longhaul, so give it another 3-5 years in cellar and drink it over the following 15 to 20-years+.
The 2019 Laroque lacks a bit of complexity on the nose - high-toned black fruit, touches of hickory and crushed black peppercorns. Slightly animally in style, though attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite pliant, well balanced with a smooth and quite velvety finish. After a slow entrance, it starts to seduce and I strongly suspect it would have deserved a more generous score in line with my previous assessments given more aeration. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2025-2042.
Blackcurrant, cherry and violet aromas follow through to a medium to full body with very well-integrated tannins that give a soft and creamy impression. Long and satisfying already, but needs another three or four years to come together. Try after 2023.
Tasted blind. Rich, quite nuanced nose. Hints of tea leaves and liquorice. Lots going on here even if the nose is already quite evolved. Rewarding. 14.5%
Drink 2026– 2042
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Laroque charges out of the gate with bold blackberry preserves, baked plums, and boysenberry notes plus a waft of chocolate box, licorice, and candied violets. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, it has loads of tight-knit layers and a mineral-tinged finish. It is composed of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
The 2019 Laroque has impressive transparency and focus on the nose, which is well-delineated and mineral-driven, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine grip, and lightly spiced with a touch of black pepper toward the finish. A superb Laroque from winemaker David Siure. 2024 - 2048
Composed of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Laroque was harvested from the 30th of September to the 10th of October. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare this year. Alcohol came in at 14.5%, with a relatively low pH of 3.44. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold scents of blueberry preserves, Black Forest cake, dark chocolate and lilacs with underlying hints of aniseed, espresso and pencil lead plus a waft of smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with dark, seductive berry layers and a whole myriad of savory nuances, framed by wonderfully soft, velvety tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. Beautiful!
