Larrivaux - Haut-Médoc 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

par Jeb Dunnuck le 31/03/2026

A terrific Haut-Médoc with a fascinating history, Château Larrivaux has been managed by a female director/owner since 1581. The 2023 Château Larrivaux is based on 41% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot, aged 13 months in 34% new French oak with the balance in second-fill barrels, concrete, and amphora. It's a solidly built, rich, foursquare effort on the nose, with plenty of ripe black fruits and ample mid-palate depth. On the palate, it has some firmer tannins and a great finish. It's going to shine with 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. I suspect it's a smoking value in the market today. Drink 2028-2045.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91

par Jeff Leve le 30/03/2026

Flowers, tobacco, cherries, and cedar work together to form the perfume and the palate. There is a sweetness to the fruits on the palate that is made even better with the addition of licorice, chocolate, and a refreshing touch of mint that lingers. This is much better in the bottle than it was in the barrel. Give it a year or two before opening a bottle. Drink from 2027-2036.

Vinous

93

par Antonio Galloni le 16/03/2026

The 2023 Larrivaux turned out better than I expected. Deep and resonant in the glass, the 2023 races across the palate with sumptuous dark fruit. Hints of leather, tobacco, incense and dried herbs appear later as the 2023 gains complexity and stature in the glass. Impressively delicious. Tasted two times.

Vinous

91

par Neal Martin le 01/02/2026

The 2023 Larrivaux has what I call a "proper" nose, with dense blackberry and earthy scents, a touch of cedar and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied, with finely sculpted tannins, very harmonious, silky smooth, with a persistent and pure finish. I would gladly welcome this on my dinner table.

Jamessuckling.com

90

par James Suckling le 27/01/2026

Juicy and succulent, showing cedar and thyme with fine-grained yet chewy tannins and focused, vibrant yet restrained dark fruit. Can be enjoyed now with some aeration.

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

par Yves Beck le 14/05/2024

Die Harmonie zwischen holzigen und fruchtigen Nuancen ist im Bouquet von Larrivaux zu loben. Erfrischende Eukalyptusnoten kombiniert mit Nuancen von Himbeeren. Der Wein ist von guter Dichte und kann sich der Präzision seiner Tannine und der Prägnanz seiner Säurestruktur rühmen. Das Ergebnis ist ein linearer, präziser und saftiger Larrivaux. Fruchtiger Abgang von guter Länge.

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92

par Jeb Dunnuck le 13/05/2024

Reminding me of a great Saint-Estèphe, the 2023 Château Larrivaux has beautiful cassis and darker raspberry-like fruit as well as some smoky oak, violet, and damp earth-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied and ripe, with velvety tannins, it's a beautiful Haut-Médoc that has so much to love. I suspect it will be a smoking value as well.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90

par Jeff Leve le 06/05/2024

Forward, chewy, vibrant, and firm, with stoic cherries, cedar, tobacco and herbs to compliment the fruit, give it a year or two before opening a bottle. Drink from 2027-2036. 88-90 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

par Jane Anson le 06/05/2024

Dark fruit character on the nose and colour, with intense cassis and bilberry fruit on the opening beats. This needs time to settle, but there is plenty to enjoy here, and the heavily tannic frame fruit is matched step by step by fresh acidities. The first vintage where owner Bérangère Tesseron was joined by her husband Basile Tesseron at this estate with five generations of female owners. Ageing in barrel 95%, amphora 5%.

Vinous

88-91

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2024

The 2023 Larrivaux offers good upfront density and persistence, even if it also feels a touch compact. It will be interesting to see if this comes together more with élevage. There's potential, but it’s not all there yet. Hints of plum, spice and blood orange linger. Tasted two times.

Vinous

91-93

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2024

The 2023 Larrivaux has a fragrant and pure bouquet that sets it above many other Haut-Médoc wines this vintage, conveying a sense of precision. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, very fine tannins, almost sorbet-fresh in style. The elegant and vivid finish has plenty of tension. This is a lovely Larrivaux that will give a decade's drinking pleasure. Superb.

Alexandre Ma

90-92

par Alexandre Ma le 28/04/2024

Jamessuckling.com

89-90

par James Suckling le 25/04/2024

This has a firm core of tannins nicely framing vivid fruit. Medium-bodied and lightly chewy with a dry finish.