2009 Laroze

68% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dating back to 1610 when the original owners, the Gurchy family were first recorded as producing wine, Château Laroze was created in 1882. Today it belongs to the Meslin family, direct descendants of the founders, and it was awarded the status of Grand Cru Classé in the Saint-Emilion classification of 1955. In 1990, George Meslin retired and his son Guy is now in charge. The Laroze vineyards are located to the north-west of the town on clay soils where the Merlot grape flourishes. The vines have an average age of 20 years, and are harvested by hand. Following harvest and the strict hand selection grapes, a 21 to 24 day fermentation took place. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, 50% of which were new, for 12 to 15 months before bottling. Blackish crimson. Rather sour and aggressive on the nose. Certainly there is density but not much charm. Very stolid and sour. (JR)