2006 Laroque

87% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard plot of 27 ha situated in St-Christophe des Bardes just outside the town of Saint-Émilion. Vines are 35 years old, planted on clay and limestone soil at a density of 5,300 vines/ha, yielding 45 hl/ha and tended with lutte raisonnée. The grapes were hand-harvested and sorted twice, once in the vineyard and again at the winery. Cold soak (<15°C) for 48 hours, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled cement tanks with selected yeast for 21-28 days, with each vineyard parcel and grape variety vinified separately. Gently pressed in a pneumatic press and full malo then matured in French oak barrels for 18-20 months (50% new and 50% one year old). Bottled April 2008. Winemaker Bruno Sainson. TA 3.7 g/l, pH 3.37, RS < 2.0 g/l. Very dark crimson. Sweet start. Fairly mellow on the nose although there is lots of tannin still on the palate. A bit too middle-aged to recommend for current drinking. (JR)