Wine Advisor
Laroque 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2020 Laroque has turned out nicely, bursting with aromas of cherries, minty blackberries, licorice and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with good depth at the core, chalky but refined tannins and a saline finish, it's another strong performance for this rising star of Saint-Émilion.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2020 Laroque is a blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 14.5%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal fantastically opulent notes of Indian spices, rose oil, dark chocolate and licorice, over a core of blueberry preserves, stewed plums and mulberries, plus a hint of dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with layers of black and blue fruits, accented by exotic spices and supported by a racy backbone and velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. Gorgeous.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2020 Laroque is even better than the en primeur sample. Dark and enveloping, with tons of class, Laroque is a winner. Succulent dark plum, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and pipe tobacco give the 2020 tons of nuance. Laroque is class personified. Winemaker David Suire is doing important work here.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2020 Laroque is silky, sensual and polished right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit. What I like most about the 2020 is its incredible finesse and impeccable balance. This is another terrific effort from Laroque under the leadership of technical director David Suire. Tasted two times.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2020 Laroque has a nose that has closed down a little since bottling, though the quality still shines through with blackberry and raspberry fruit, undergrowth, rose petals and light orange rind aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, sweet and candied with a plush finish. It just needs a little more grip and sapidity, though that should emerge with bottle age. Impressive.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2020 Laroque was cropped at 34hl/ha, picked September 21–30. It has a very composed bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry and crushed limestone scents, beautifully defined with very well integrated oak. You could just nose this all day. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, blueberry and a judicious pinch of black pepper. This is very harmonious and as fresh as a daisy. Possibly the best Laroque that winemaker David Suire has overseen to date.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2020 Laroque has a ripe, opulent nose with blackberry, raspberry coulis, wild hedgerow and a subtle touch of mint. The oak is nicely integrated, but it loses some vitality in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, saturated and pliant tannins. It has fine weight, with just a smidgen of welcome bitterness that imparts tension on the finish. This is very promising and astutely made, though this showing suggests it may have begun closing down. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is really focused and linear with tight, minerally tannins that are polished and energetic. It’s medium-to full-bodied with dark and blue fruit in the center palate. Long and focused.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Aromas of sweet berries with herbs, wet earth and moss undertones as well as fresh mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine and creamy tannins and a lovely finish. It’s polished and refined. Drink after 2025, but already very pretty.
About the Producer
Since the 12th century, Château Laroque has occupied an historical terroir, a mix of limestone rock and fine clays, superbly located on the slopes and high boint of the plateau of Saint-Emilion. Superbly located on one of the highest points of Saint-Emilion, Laroque's limestone terroirs have once again shone through brilliantly in this 201% They have produced wines that are bright, floral and spicy, with fresh salinity and a noble texture, which are the hallmark traits of this estate.
