2024, Château Laroque, SAINT-ÉMILION, Grand Cru

Last year EP $42.00-

Chateau Laroque dates back to the 12th century - perched high up on a ridge (pictured above) with vineyards flowing down over limestone soil. In 2015 they hired David Suire as director of the estate to reinvigorate the winery. David Suire is well-known in Bordeaux, especially in Saint Emilion for his work with the team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt and has transformed the fortunes of this Saint-Emilion with a succession of highly rated, extremely impressive wines.

Deep plum colour, cold ash and fennel on the opening, savoury, well judged and well extracted, this is on the slim side, with the focus on cassis bud and rose petals. You probably have to be a bit of a limestone fanatic (as I am) to truly love this vintage of Laroque, because it is less gourmet than in vintages like 2022 and 2023, setting texture and minerality above fruit, but exceptionally well handled by estate director David Suire, and it should soften further over ageing. Once again a value pick.
93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

Perfumed raspberry and cherry fruit with creamy scents and lots of rose aromatics. Glossy and rich, this has great concentration from the start. Cool and crisp, a touch of grip - the fine but firm tannins gives a structured mouthfeel with blueberry fruit and freshly picked mint on the finish. Round, juicy and with energy and lovely licks of salty minerality. Well made by winemaker David Suire, this will be a crowd pleaser and likely to be good value.
93 Geogina Hindle, Decanter.

The 2024 Laroque has satisfying concentration on the nose with blackberry, wild strawberry and light floral scents.  The palate is medium-bodied with much lighter tannins than recent vintages under winemaker David Suire. The 2024 is nicely balanced, displaying simple and noticeably tertiary red fruit and modest weight on the finish. It should give up to a decade of drinking pleasure. Drink: 2029-2039
89-91 Neal Martin, vinous