Laroze - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

91

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

Checking in as a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2023 Château Laroze offers smoky red and black fruits, new leather, liquid violets, and leafy herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a nicely concentrated mouthfeel. It's a serious, impeccably made Saint-Emilion to drink over the coming 15-20 years. Drink 2026-2041.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

Mint, chocolate, espresso, smoke, and plum aromatics show effortlessly. Medium-bodied, with a fresh, sweet, vibrant core of red pit fruits that are on display in the soft, creamy finish. You can enjoy this with just a year or so of aging, and it will only get better after that. Drink from 2027-2039.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

A nice, fruity St.-Emilion that shows some complexity. Touches of cocoa powder and fine spices to the dark cherries and black plums. Juicy and lively, with a medium body and fine tannins. Pretty long. Drink or hold.

Vinous

89-91

byNeal Martinthe8/9/2024

The 2023 Laroze is tasted again from a sample sent by the château that was assessed over a couple of hours. While this is better than the sample I tasted in Bordeaux, certainly, aromatically, I can see both strengths and shortcomings. The bouquet is much fresher and purer than the primeur sample, especially after 30 minutes of aeration, with scents of blackberry and touches of cassis fruit. It is not "blowsy" as the sample showed in Bordeaux. The palate is balanced with fine acidity, a pleasing edginess with a touch of balsamic that tinctures black fruit. But it doesn't possess the amplitude and complexity of its peers and attenuates towards the sapid finish. It needs more persistence on the aftertaste to merit a higher score. That said, I have no qualms about raising my score based on this sample.

My Bettane + Desseauve

89-90

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Bon corps, précis et nez, avec ce qu’il faut de finesse et avec des notes expressives de fruits rouges.

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Die frischen und subtilen blumigen sowie fruchtigen Nuancen kündigen einen Wein an, der sich durch seine Dichte und die fleischige Seite seiner lieblichen Tannine auszeichnet. Diese bilden die Zukunft, gemeinsam mit der Säurestruktur. Ein lang anhaltender und vielversprechender Wein!

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-91

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The 2023 Château Laroze is based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that will see 14 months of élevage. It has solid red, blue, and black fruits, some nicely integrated background oak, medium body, a round, supple mouthfeel, and some spicy, savory floral and tobacco-like nuances. This total charmer is going to shine right out of the gate.

The Drinks Business

89-91

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Laroze (Saint Émilion; 60% Merlot; 40% Cabernet Franc; tasted twice, the second time at the Association des Grands Crus Classés at Dassault). This is good, but it’s not on a par with the 2022 above all, though better the second time. Dark berry fruits, a little baked, plums and baked plums, sweet spices and a very pronounced and distinct ferrous mineral note. Liquorice and cassis. On the palate I find this strangely sweet. But the core is well charged with crushed berries and pulpy plum flesh and there’s a pleasing sapidity too. A substantial wine for the vintage. The tannins turn just a little dry towards the finish, but I like the still subtle suggestion of graphite that I suspect will come through with aging.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Espresso, herbs, tobacco, and cedar aromatics show effortlessly. Medium-bodied, with a fruity core of red pit fruits, the creamy finish leaves with you sweet, ripe, cherries, with licorice accents, dark chocolate, and a touch of mint. Drink from 2027-2039. 90-92 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Deep inky plum in colour, vivid violet reflections, this again is classic St Emilion classified in its rich silky texture through the palate, plenty of grip and lift, feels exuberant, damson and black cherry, pomegranate and slate, kick of black chocolate. Meslin family. They have now stopped working organically at Laroze after huge mildew issues in 2021 (although of course only treating where necessary), 30% new oak.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Laroze is a bold, juicy Saint-Émilion. Black cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and chocolate are all delivered with plenty of textural intensity. Ample and voluptuous, Laroze offers plenty of immediacy. It's not the last word in complexity, but all the elements are very nicely integrated. Tasted two times.

Vinous

84-86

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Laroze feels a little blowsy on the nose compared to its peers with slightly stewed red fruit. The palate is sweet on the entry with raisin-tinged black fruit, grainy tannins and a slightly hard landing on the finish. This needs to find more flesh by the time of bottling.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Delicately floral aromas, also black forest berries, dark cherries, a hint of cassis, candied lime zest. Juicy, harmonious and elegant, fresh acidity, fine, supporting tannins, chocolatey nuances in the finish, balanced and with length. Exceptionally successful this year.

Alexandre Ma

91-93

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

A chunky and structured red with blackberries, black cherries and wood showing now. It’s full-bodied with substantial tannins and a savory finish. This has excellent structure. Better than 2022.

Vertdevin

92-93

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024