Chateau Laroque Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2022

Varietal: 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 2022  Colour: Red  Style: Dry

Producer: Chateau Laroque

Description:
The modern era for Chateau Laroque starts in 1935 when the property was purchased by the Beaumartin family from the descendants of the Marquis de Rochefort-Lavie. In 1962, the vineyards of Chateau Laroque were completely replanted and the wine-making facilities were updated as well. The situation remained about the same for close to 50 years. It truly is one of the most beautiful structures in the Right Bank.

The massive 61-hectare vineyard of Chateau Laroque is planted to 87% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is clay with limestone soil. The vineyard is situated northeast of the Saint Emilion village in the commune of St. Christophe des Bardes. Chateau Laroque owns the largest vineyard in St. Emilion.

However, only 40 hectares of vines are classified as Grand Cru Classe. The remaining 21 hectares of vines are considered to be St. Emilion Grand Cru. Back to those 40 hectares, only 27 hectares of vines are used to produce their top wine, Chateau Laroque. As you can see, the selection is important here, especially since it’s such a large vineyard.

97/100 Points
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Superb quality delivering grip and lift, with the fleshy black fruits underpinned by steel, crushed slate and softer crayon. Well defined black fruits, mouth-watering, vivid, energetic, one to look out for. 

95/100 Points
Chris Kissack, The Wine Independent
Dark fruit with a polish on the nose here, with threads of toast and liquorice, currants and dried black cherry. The eastern plateau character comes across strong, the palate filled with saline black olive, currants, dried black cherries and liquorice, with a touch of tobacco toast, and a frame of beautifully melded tannins which simply melt across the palate. Beautiful freshness here, with lovely density of structure. This is a very stylish Laroque and has to be the best David Suire has yet produced here. Superb.  

93-95/100 Points 
William Kelley, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Another impressive performance from this estate, the 2022 Laroque offers up aromas of sweet berries, violets, iris and exotic spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate with a rich core of fruit that's framed by lively acids, concluding with a taut, chalky finish. Once again, it's the result of a strict selection that sees only 45% of the production released as the grand vin.

Tasting Notes: 
David Suire's Laroque must rank amongst the best value wines of the right bank. Since his arrival in 2015, critics have heaped praise in his wines, and for the time being, they remain relatively affordable (relative to wines with similar scores). The 2022 is another wonderful effort. It's big and ambitious, but not overblown. Redolent with ripe sloes and plums with hints of violet and liquorice. The palate is sweet and lush with waves of mineral flecked raspberry and dark cherry. Beautifully contoured, with an impressive well of fruit enveloped by attractive tannins; this promises to be another excellent and rather moreish Laroque.

Food Matches: Red Meat / Venison / Soft Cheese / Venison