A pure and focussed nose full of ripe but cool black fruit with soft hints of violets and vanilla. This delighted during Primeurs and it's turned out excellently in bottle. Juicy, clean and crystalline with a perfect balance of fruit, tannins and acidity with plenty of underling power but delivered so elegantly. Great harmony and drinkability on offer. Ends salty with graphite and slate really putting the limestone terroir into the glass. Delicious. Another excellent bottle from this rising start estate under the helm of David Suire.
Looking at the Grand Vin 2022 Château Laroque, it checks in as 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new oak with a mix in larger formats, as well as a portion in foudre. Gorgeous black raspberries, spring flowers, graphite, and truffly mineral and crushed stone-like nuances all shine in this stunningly complex, medium to full-bodied effort. With ripe, polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and ultra-fine tannins, it's going to drink well for at least 30 years. The alcohol here is a healthy 14.7 with a pH of 3.4. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine! Buy a case for your cellar. You can thank me later.
The 2022 Laroque has turned out very well indeed in bottle, offering up aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and vibrant palate that's pure, concentrated and penetrating. Harmonious and integrated, this limestone terroir's identity really shines through.
A wine that vibrates with energy and character. Aromas of red berries, bark, violets, lavender, sea salt and chalk. It’s dense and full-bodied with a big palate, but it’s framed and gorgeous in the weightless finish. Perhaps the best wine ever from here? 99% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.
TWI
95pts
The Wine Independent
The grand vin from David Suire and team is a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, and the élevage was partly in 225-litre barrels, partly in 500-litre barrels, and partly in wooden cuve. Dark fruit with a polish on the nose here, with threads of toast and liquorice, currants and dried black cherry. The eastern plateau character comes across strong, the palate filled with saline black olive, currants, dried black cherries and liquorice, with a touch of tobacco toast, and a frame of beautifully melded tannins which simply melt across the palate. Beautiful freshness here, with lovely density of structure. This is a very stylish Laroque and has to be the best David Suire has yet produced here. Superb. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.
The 2022 Laroque just lacks a bit of fruit expression on the nose, more austere than its peers, with light pencil shaving scents joining the rather sultry black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight bitterness on the entry. Moderate depth, fine salinity with good persistence on the finish. Give this two or three years in bottle because I think this is entering a closed phase. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Winery Notes
Merlot dominated with a dark ruby color and fine aromatics of mint and blackcurrants. Suave in texture, there is a freshness and lift on the palate with a silky, grippy finish.