Château Laroze 2019

Superb aromatics of herbs, flowers, and wild berries; a full attack, an exceptionally dense structure, exquisite breed and minerality, and great length; even better than en primeur and one of the great wines of the year.

Seductive nose of ripe cherries and strawberries. Great juicy freshness straight off the bat, the tannins are soft and smooth, letting the red fruits shine through. This has brightness and persistence with some depth to the mid-palate, and a cooling mintiness on the finish.

Aromas of currants, black fruit, dried herbs and charcoal. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a supple, creamy and fresh palate. Juicy finish. Drink from 2024.

Tasted blind. A little too evolved on the nose? Then quite pinched on the palate. Where’s the opulence of the vintage? A bit stringy on the finish. (JR)

The 2019 Laroze offers up copious dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and leather flavors. There is a bit of tannin that needs time to resolve, but overall this is a forward, juicy style that is likely best enjoyed over the medium term.

Dark red fruits, licorice, savory herbs, and wet earth and forest notes combine to create a complex perfume. On the palate, the wine, with its creamy texture, offers layers of ripe black cherries, smoke, dark plums, and cocoa. There is a nice touch of mint, along with all the ripe fruits in the finish, that really hits the spot. Drink from 2023-2035.

Deep ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening at the ochre rim. Red heart cherry with herbal and savoury undertones, tobacco nuances, a delicate animal touch. Medium complexity, red cherry fruit, fine tannins, some nougat on the finish, an accessible, versatile style.

An example marrying fine oak, attractive young fruit, wild berries, kirsch, liquorice and mild oak. Ample palate with mild tannin, rounded texture, supple and generous fruit with good length.

I loved the 2019 Château Laroze from barrel and it's showing nicely from bottle, with an almost Médoc-like bouquet of red and black currants, tobacco, cedar pencil, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with silky tannins, this complex, nuanced, elegant Saint-Emilion is going to drink beautifully for 10-15 years.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: medium, herbal bouquet, blackberries, fresh earth, smoke. Firm, restrained palate with good fruit, fine sandy tannins, dark aromatics, finely muscular structure, bitter finish.

Moderate, herbal bouquet, blackberries, fresh earth, smoke. Firm, restrained palate with good fruit, finely sandy tannins, dark aromatics, finely muscular structure, bitter-herbal finish. 17/20 2024 - 2038

Well judged and sculpted, powerful berry fruits, hedgerow with a touch of St Emilion glamour, lovely power on the finish. This is good, has an uplift and a ton of joy. Tasted twice. This estate really has taken a big step up in quality over the past few years and this is an upscore from En Primeur, very impressive, one to watch.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Laroze gives up notes of warm blackberries, black cherry preserves, and cedar with suggestions of truffles and tobacco. The medium-bodied palate is chewy and savory, with a firm, ferrous finish.

A smooth, supple palate with a creamy touch, unfolding into a long, flavorful tannin with perfect poise. At this stage, the wine is more expressive than in the past.

A perfect deep red that showcases the sensual profile of wines from the pied de côte. Appealing, though still only beginning to evolve, the velvety tannins have real drive. It offers a complex, floral personality with slightly roasted notes; fruit dominates in a finish that seems almost saline. One may regret a rather luxurious élevage—2019 did not call for so much—but it’s forgiven as the lovely mid-palate sweetness tightens into a finish where the fruit is clearly more expressive.

Dark, intense color. Moderately aromatic nose with fruit that is both ripe and slightly lively. Immediately juicy on the attack. It develops with savory flavors, on a supple body and even some fat after the mid-palate. Long, flavorful, and deep finish.