2020 Laroque
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Tasting notes
Quality at this estate continues to rise and David Suire has crafted a superb 2020. Despite being a blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, this wine has real freshness and an herbaceous edge to it. The nose is scented and enticing with aromas of Darjeeling tea, ripe plummy fruit and a fresher more redcurrant note. It’s a tight little wine at present, with a compacted palate full of promise and fine-grained tannins. There’s a lovely iron-like earthiness and long, saline finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Very dark with black core. Intense, ripe but not overripe black fruit. Rather better on the palate, with a lightness of touch, and lighter-than-average tannins. A little bit pinched on the finish and a bit woody. (JH)
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.
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.
About the producer
Ch. Laroque is a Saint-Emilion fine wine estate which takes its name from the plateau of limestone rock on which it sits.