Château Laroque
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Far more expressive than the 2019 at this stage, the 2020 Château Laroque is a gorgeous example of young Bordeaux and my first encounter with this vintage. The nose is quite generous at first and only closes down with time in the decanter, continuing the trend that I find with young Cru Classé Bordeaux of actually not benefitting from exposure to air. I wonder at what age this begins having a beneficial effect? Anyway, it’s replete with dark and sappy aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, cocoa, and graphite. The palate is rich, saturated and savoury, but fresh and not over-extracted, and following a relatively red fruited profile for this part of Bordeaux and certainly the wine does not possess any plush or luxurious character. No, this is a gastronomic St Emilion with great structure and length, which should age wonderfully. It may not be long before I pull the cork on another.
94+
May 2025
Far more expressive than the 2019 at this stage, the 2020 Château Laroque is a gorgeous example of young Bordeaux and my first encounter with this vintage. The nose is quite generous at first and only closes down with time in the decanter, continuing the trend that I find with young Cru Classé Bordeaux of actually not benefitting from exposure to air. I wonder at what age this begins having a beneficial effect? Anyway, it’s replete with dark and sappy aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, cocoa, and graphite. The palate is rich, saturated and savoury, but fresh and not over-extracted, and following a relatively red fruited profile for this part of Bordeaux and certainly the wine does not possess any plush or luxurious character. No, this is a gastronomic St Emilion with great structure and length, which should age wonderfully. It may not be long before I pull the cork on another.
94+
May 2025
3.4. Dark purple highly complex Bordeaux. A bit sharp at first, but gets more delicious after it sits in the glass for awhile. On sale for $31.99, regularly $38.99.
3.4. Dark purple highly complex Bordeaux. A bit sharp at first, but gets more delicious after it sits in the glass for awhile. On sale for $31.99, regularly $38.99.
Apr 11th, 2024
great nose, delicious palate and very good future! imo hard to beat in price quality ratio.
great nose, delicious palate and very good future! imo hard to beat in price quality ratio.
Nov 3rd, 2023
