Laroque - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe4/2/2024

The 2021 Laroque is classy, elegant and polished. A wine of stature and breeding, Laroque is a quintessentially finessed Saint-Émilion. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and menthol. All the elements are v

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Laroque is classy, elegant and polished. A wine of stature and breeding, Laroque is a quintessentially finessed Saint-Émilion. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather, licorice and menthol. All the elements are very nicely balanced.

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe2/22/2024

The 2021 Laroque opens in the glass with aromas of dark, minty berries, orange zest and toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a sweet core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, mineral finish. This has turned out very nicely in bottle, and given its low-pH profile, it's likely to reward some bottle age. 92+

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2024

Spiced red cherries, plums, graphite, cocoa powder and a touch of mineral. Medium-bodied palate with fine, silky tannins and a juicy, nuanced finish. Elegant and polished. Drink now but can hold, too.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

A medium-bodied, elegant and fresh red with fine and silky tannins. Fresh acidity. Balanced and perfumed already with vibrant raspberry, blackberry and bark notes. Very citrusy. Linear and bright.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

From an estate that continues to fire on all cylinders, the 2021 Château Laroque checks in as just about all Merlot (there's a splash of Cabernet Franc) that's pulled from just 45% of the total production and spends 18 months in 50% new barrels. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, white flowers, and chalky mineral notes all define the nose, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. It shows the cooler, fresher style of the vintage, yet I suspect the pH is solid, and it offers plenty of fruit. I'd be a buyer. 91-93+

Bettane & Desseauve

91-92

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Vin de grande dimension pour le millésime. Les 99 % de merlot expriment au mieux leur terroir, son origine calcaire étire une finale déjà bien assise.

Alexandre Ma

92-94

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

The first-class terroir is marvelous. No matter what vintage it is, Laroque produces great wines. The light fragrances of violet and petunia flows in the glass, and the clear and elegant body (with an extremely low PH of 3.49) arrives in your mouth. You may guess that it contains a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, but it is actually 99% Merlot. Isn’t it marvelous? Behind the powdery tannins, there hide some salty mineral notes, leaving the milk-like mellowness after caressing your palate. A brilliant well-layered tasting experience. (Benefited from the excellent ventilation in this region, the grapes were mostly kept away from the downy mildew and the yield reached a pleasing 41 hl/ha.) ?????????,????????,Laroque???????????????????????,????????????(PH?????,??3.49),??????????????????,?????????99%???,????????????????????????????,??????????????,????????????????(????????????,??????????????????,???????41??/??? )

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Laroque has upped its game in recent vintages under David Suire. It was cropped between 1 and 15 October at 41hL/ha, and matured in 50% new oak. It has a refined bouquet with brambly red fruit, light undergrowth and mineral scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, poised and again, mineral-driven thanks to its limestone soils. This latest release continues that fine run of form but will be more approachable than recent vintages.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 Laroque is a standout. Bright and racy, with tremendous persistence, Laroque stakes its claim as Saint-Émilion's brightest rising star. Bright limestone accents run through a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and white pepper. There is a linear intensity to Laroque that is hugely appealing. Technical Director David Suire fashioned a gem. Don't miss it.

vvwine

93-95

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

(13.5% Alkohol, pH 3.49, 45% Grand Vin, der Rest geht in den Tour de la Roc) Dichte Farbe, Purpur. Die Nase deutet das kalkige Terroir an, expressive Frucht, dezente Barrique-Aromatik, Veilchen, super verspielt und frisch, sehr komplex. Der Gaumen ist wiederum frisch und saftig, der Wein zeigt Druck, eine top Struktur, ist sehr elegant, die knackige, auf den Punkt gereifte Frucht ist verführerisch, wird von markanten, fein gepixelten Gerbstoffen und einer guten Säure gepuffert, das hat Zug, Frische und endet auf einen Mix aus roten Beeren sowie floralen Rückaromen. Wie in den Vorjahren, mit unglaublich viel Charme, Finesse und vor allem einer grossen Präzision. 2027-2050 (Verkostet "En Primeur" im April 2022. Château Laroque/AGCCSE/Château Dassault/Dourthe)

Anthocyanes

92-94

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Nez un peu racinaire possédant des notes de mure, d'iris, de réglisse, de gentiane et de fruits noirs frais. Bouche dense, tannique avec du fond, un caractère relativement terrien, une belle acidité calcaire et une finale longue et dense. Un Laroque très proche de son terroir avec une identité forte. Certes légèrement austère mais belle définition de grain. Très beau potentiel de garde pour un vin qui s'assagira après 10 ans de garde. 92-94+

Wine Advocate

92-95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

The 2021 Laroque is very promising indeed, and winemaker David Suire and I agree that it is likely to surpass the estate's 2018 vintage in quality. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, plums and cherries, framed by a discreet patina of new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, with excellent concentration, lively acids and ripe, melting tannins. A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, it represents 45% of the estate's production and derives from vines more than 50 years old.