Chateau Laroque 2022

DECANTER: "A clear stand out in 2022 that delivers refined density and sublime drinking pleasure. Smells perfumed and opulent, aromatically expressive and alive on the nose. Full bodied, rich and concentrated, intense and filling - there is clear power but it's so delicately and elegantly presented with such succulence and a juicy, fun and playful fruitiness. Has both push and density as well a delicious mineral tang. This has a slick and sleek character and feels really made. I love the intense juiciness balanced by the plushness of the fruit, more weighty and dense than some with mass appeal, tons of energy and still lovely clean fresh and cooling St-Emilion typicity. Harvest 14-22 September."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Clearly one of the new superstars in the appellation, Château Laroque is located on the cooler, eastern edge of Saint-Emilion and consists of pure, classic upper plateau limestone soils. The estate covers a whopping 54 hectares, which gives director Davie Suire ample flexibility when putting together the Grand Vin. Looking at the 2022 Laroque, it's a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare, representing just 45% of the total production, and it will spend 16-18 months in 50% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty offers a classic Saint-Emilion bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, and a liquid rock-like sense of minerality. It’s medium to full-bodied, has incredible purity, and ultra-fine tannins. It’s unquestionably another beautiful vintage for this chateau that readers will love."

WEINWISSER: "98 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc, pH 3.55, 14.5 Vol.-%, 41 hl/ha, Grand Vin 45 %. Dicht verwobenes blau- und schwarzbeeriges Bouquet, verführerisches Veilchen- und Irisparfüm, dahinter zarte Milchschokonoten, Kardamom und Grether Pastillen. Am komplexen trainierten Gaumen seidige Textur, tänzerische Rasse, ungeheuer tiefgründig, engmaschiges Tanningerüst. Im konzentrierten, straff ausgerichteten Finale Brombeeren, dunkle Mineralik und feinmehlige Adstringenz. Eine erneut eindrückliche Vorstellung von David Suire und damit eine sichere Kaufempfehlung. 2029 – 2049."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with showy scents of warm black plums, blueberry compote, and chocolate-covered cherries, giving way to wafts of underbrush, violets, and Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate delivers seriously impressive tension, with firm, ripe, rounded tannins and bags of bright black fruits, finishing long and fragrant."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Showing a dark hue, the wine is all about its perfect balance between intensity, concentration, freshness, and elegance. The red pit fruits are sweet, refined, pure, and supple. The finish is long, creamy, pure and while powerful, it is elegant as well, leaving you with a saltiness on the backend, providing lift and precision. The wine was made with 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, 14.55% ABV. Drink from 2026-2045."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Another impressive performance from this estate, the 2022 Laroque offers up aromas of sweet berries, violets, iris and exotic spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate with a rich core of fruit that's framed by lively acids, concluding with a taut, chalky finish. Once again, it's the result of a strict selection that sees only 45% of the production released as the grand vin."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Lakritze, Mandarinenzesten, schwarze Kirschen, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, harmonisch, feine süße Frucht, reife Beeren, frischer Säurebogen, mineralisch-salzig im Abgang, sehr balanciert, zeigt Reifepotenzial."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A very classic Bordeaux with medium to full body, firm tannins and crunchy character, with a linear nature. Currants and blackberries. Sandalwood, too. Fresh."

VINUM: "Zurückhaltend fruchtig mit hübscher Ausbauwürze; kompakter Auftakt, dichte Entwicklung über erstklassigem Tannin, langes, fruchtiges, nur leicht feuriges Finale; erfreuliche Balance im Stil des Jahres."