2019 Château Laroque

The 2019 Laroque lacks a bit of complexity on the nose - high-toned black fruit, touches of hickory and crushed black peppercorns. Slightly animally in style, though attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite pliant, well balanced with a smooth and quite velvety finish. After a slow entrance, it starts to seduce and I strongly suspect it would have deserved a more generous score in line with my previous assessments given more aeration. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Tasted blind. Rich, quite nuanced nose. Hints of tea leaves and liquorice. Lots going on here even if the nose is already quite evolved. Rewarding. (JR)

I continue to just love this château, which is located in one of the cooler terroirs in the appellation, sitting on pure limestone soils. Director David Suire continues to fine-tune every aspect of the estate and is the driving force behind the incredible quality we're seeing today. The 2019 Château Laroque is as classy as they come, with an incredible level of refinement and elegance. Ripe black cherries, blueberries, violets, white truffle, and cedar pencil all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with incredible tannins, perfect balance, and a great finish. It doesn't quite have the density of, say, Canon or Clos Fourtet, yet it doesn't lose a beat with regard to purity, finesse, and elegance. It's a gorgeous Saint-Emilion that readers will love to have in the cellar. It offers pleasure today yet won't hit the early stages of maturity for another 5-7 years and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity, probably more.