Château Laroque 2022

Initially reserved, very profound, floral notes, noticeable limestone, violets, grasses; on the palate the wine starts citrusy and slender, then builds, filling the mouth, incredibly rich without being opulent, crisp fruit wrapped in the finest tannins, a nervy acidity, plenty of freshness, great elegance, finishing saline. Once again excellent and likely one of the best wine values in 2022. MUST Buy!

The 2022 Laroque has turned out very well indeed in bottle, offering up aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, suave and vibrant palate that's pure, concentrated and penetrating. Harmonious and integrated, this limestone terroir's identity really shines through.

A pure and focused nose full of ripe but cool black fruit with soft hints of violets and vanilla. This delighted during Primeurs and it’s turned out excellently in bottle. Juicy, clean and crystalline with a perfect balance of fruit, tannins and acidity, with plenty of underlying power delivered so elegantly. Great harmony and drinkability on offer. It ends salty, with graphite and slate really putting the limestone terroir into the glass. Delicious. Another excellent bottle from this rising star estate under the helm of David Suire.

This shows very good integration with the fine wood. Warm bread, graphite, iron and black plums. Rich but still quite fresh, with medium to full body and tightly wound tannins. Long, focused finish. Approachable now, but better in another two years.

The 2022 Laroque is even better from bottle than it was en primeur. Dark, rich and enveloping, the 2022 is seriously impressive. Black cherry, leather, licorice, dried herbs and mocha race across the palate. It possesses superb depth and nuance while capturing all of the richness of the year. Laroque is very clearly one of the sleepers of the year. Superb.

Opulent, lush, and all about pleasure, the wine shows off its licorice, black cherries, plums, and chocolate-tinged perfume with barely a swirl. The hedonistic palate is where the wine shines, thanks to layers of ripe, rich, creamy fruit with real staying power. The finish is long, creamy, pure, and while powerful, it remains elegant, leaving a salty note on the back end that provides lift and precision. The wine was made with 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 2026-2045.

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Delicate liquorice, tangerine zest, black cherries, inviting bouquet. Juicy, harmonious, fine sweet fruit, ripe berries, fresh acidity arc, mineral-salty finish, very balanced, shows certain ageing potential.

Looking at the Grand Vin 2022 Château Laroque, it checks in as 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new oak with a mix in larger formats, as well as a portion in foudre. Gorgeous black raspberries, spring flowers, graphite, and truffly mineral and crushed stone-like nuances all shine in this stunningly complex, medium- to full-bodied effort. With ripe, polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and ultra-fine tannins, it's going to drink well for at least 30 years. The alcohol here is a healthy 14.7 with a pH of 3.4. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine! Buy a case for your cellar. You can thank me later.

Superb quality delivering grip and lift, with fleshy black fruits underpinned by steel, crushed slate and softer crayon. Well-defined black fruits, mouthwatering, vivid, energetic, one to look out for. 3.55 pH, reductive ageing on fine lees, first racking after 6 months, harvest September 14 to 30, vineyard located on the limestone plateau and slopes at one of the highest points of St Emilion in St Christophe des Bardes, owned by the Beaumartin family, David Suire director.

Dark and alluring on the nose, with notes of wild berries (Loganberry) and a touch of graphite. On the palate, superb concentration, marked by a true implosion of fruit, flowers, and chocolate ganache.

Right from the start, the bouquet awakens every receptor attuned to pleasure, flavor, and the desire to savor and share a shimmering wine. Nuances of blackcurrant and redcurrant combined with spicy, chalky notes over a light and subtle touch of oak create complexity. Laroque’s attack shows an imposing serenity. The wine moves forward cautiously, more because it refuses to be overbearing than out of hesitancy. It prefers to convince through deeds rather than loud words. The high definition and precision of the bouquet are echoed beautifully on the palate. The wine is brilliant, generous, broad, yet also linear and precise. It may still struggle a little to fully reveal its greatness, but this is quickly put into perspective by the relevant, mouthwatering, and invigorating character of the finish. A joyful wine whose guiding thread is balance, freshness, and power.

Deep dark red color with black highlights. Intense, fruity and smooth nose. Fleshy on the attack, fleshy mid-palate, the wine develops very ripe fruit flavors. Good length with a chalky tannic touch. We’ll see if the aging brings a bit more aromatic brightness. Blend: 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 14.5% - pH: 3.55. Yield: 41 hl/ha.