Laroque - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

Aromas of sweet berries with herbs, wet earth and moss undertones as well as fresh mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine and creamy tannins and a lovely finish. It’s polished and refined. Drink after 2025, but already very pretty.

La Revue du Vin de France

92-93 / 100

the6/7/2021

Le tanin est frais et la structure côtelée tient le vin qui manque peut-être un peu de profondeur, mais il séduit par la finale plus énergique et signe le millésime de son joli fruit sanguin.

Vinous

93-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Laroque is silky, sensual and polished right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit. What I like most about the 2020 is its incredible finesse and impeccable balance. This is another terrific effort from Laroque under the leadership of technical director David Suire. Tasted two times.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Possibly one of the best buys out there, the 2020 Château Laroque comes from a cooler, clay and limestone terroir on the eastern side of the appellation, and this is exactly what you wanted in this vintage. Revealing a vivid purple hue as well as stunning notes of blueberries, cassis, liquid violets, and white truffle, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, and gorgeous length on the finish. It plays in the more nuanced, elegant end of the spectrum yet still brings ample fruit, richness, and texture. It’s a stunning bottle of wine all about finesse and elegance. Tasted twice

Vinous

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Laroque was cropped at 34hl/ha, picked September 21–30. It has a very composed bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry and crushed limestone scents, beautifully defined with very well integrated oak. You could just nose this all day. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, blueberry and a judicious pinch of black pepper. This is very harmonious and as fresh as a daisy. Possibly the best Laroque that winemaker David Suire has overseen to date.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Plenty of sappy, well defined juice running underneath the moody tannic frame, but you need to look away right now because this is closed and subdued. Blueberry purée and a limestone scrape helps build momentum through the mid-palate - give this time. David Suire manages the winemaking.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Dark garnet in color with purple edges, the wine is lush, rich and concentrated. Opulent in texture, with layers of velvety, red, black and blue fruits, crushed rocks, chocolate and licorice, there is a gorgeous sense of purity, richness, length and freshness here. The wine shows elegance and refinement as well as layers of fruit on the palate and in the finish. 94-96

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Laroque is a blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 14.5%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal fantastically opulent notes of Indian spices, rose oil, dark chocolate and licorice, over a core of blueberry preserves, stewed plums and mulberries, plus a hint of dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with layers of black and blue fruits, accented by exotic spices and supported by a racy backbone and velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. Gorgeous.

Terres de Vins

the5/19/2021

Une nouvelle fois, Laroque se distingue par son profil fin, élancé, tendu, juteux et salivant, tenu et propulsé par une belle trame acide, un profil calcaire qui lui confère une très belle droiture et semble promis à une belle garde. De beaux amers, une fraîcheur exemplaire sur ce millésime. Toujours une valeur sûre.
19 mai 2021 - Mathieu DOUMENGE

Anthocyanes

93-95 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Un peu plus terrien que l'année dernière, Laroque 2020 présente de légères notes de graphite, de fruits noirs et d'épices. En bouche, la texture est charnue, délicate et fraiche. Belle tension d'ensemble pour un vin parfaitement équilibré.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 /

byJeff Levethe5/10/2021

Dark garnet in color with purple edges, the wine is lush, rich and concentrated. Opulent in texture, with layers of velvety, red, black and blue fruits, crushed rocks, chocolate and licorice, there is a gorgeous sense of purity, richness, length and freshness here. The wine shows elegance and refinement as well as layers of fruit on the palate and in the finish.
May, 2021 - Jeff LEVE

Falstaff

91-93 / 100

the5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, sehr zarte Randaufhellung. Frische schwarze Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Lakritze, frische Orangenzesten, rauchiger Touch. Saftig, elegant, rotbeerige Nuancen, frische Struktur, feine Tannine, mineralisch im Nachhall, zitroniger Touch.

Tastingbook.com

93 /

byMarkus Del Monegothe5/10/2021

Intense purple colour with violet hue and black core. Expressive nose with aroma reminiscent of dark berries and fine toasting aroma, e.g. black chocolate and fresh ground coffee. Elegant spiciness in the background. On the palate rich taste with ripe tannins, elegant acidity and hints of minerality adding freshness. A well balanced wine with a convincing aromatic finish.
April 14, 2021 - Markus DEL MONEGO

Yvesbeck.wine

94-95 /

byYves Beckthe5/7/2021

Que de finesse et de subtilité dans ce bouquet. Agréables notes de baies noires, de cerises et de bois de réglisse. Nuances mentholées. En bouche le vin est crémeux et friand. Il est doté de tannins fins qui se révèlent le long du palais et d’une structure acide rafraîchissante. Laroque 2020 est équilibré, élégant et doté d’une force tranquille convaincante. Il la doit à ses tannins et à la race de la structure acide. Finale fruitée et persistante. Très belle réussite. 2025-2045.
7 mai 2021 - Yves BECK

My Bettane + Desseauve

91-92 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/4/2021

This is really focused and linear with tight, minerally tannins that are polished and energetic. It’s medium-to full-bodied with dark and blue fruit in the center palate. Long and focused.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/29/2021

Deep crimson but not impenetrable. Mellow, rather unflashy nose with well-integrated acidity and a certain mineral element. Really lively and fresh and rather sleeker than some of the more exhibitionistic St-Émilions. Obviously a long-term, and rather exciting, bet. Bone-dry finish and a fair amount of ripe tannin but not lean or drying, and with a persistent, silky finish. Rather sophisticated. 2029 –2045.
April 29, 2021 - Jancis ROBINSON