Chateau Laroque 2019

WEINWISSER: "97 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 43 hl/ha. Undurchlässiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte. Was für ein Elixier! Frisch gepflückte Brombeeren und betörende Veilchen in der offenen Nase. Im zweiten Ansatz Alpenheidelbeeren, Lakritze und parfümierter Pfeifentabak. Am eleganten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, ergreifender Extraktfülle und energiegeladener Rasse, da ist so viel Dynamik und Spannung! Im aromatischen Finale Holundergelee und tiefgründige Mineralik. Der Shootingstar aus dem vergangenen Jahr hat sich nicht auf seinen Lorbeeren ausgeruht, sondern nochmals eine Schippe draufgepackt. Grandiose Leistung David Suire!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Dark chocolate, spice-box, smoke, licorice, espresso and plums carry the nose. The wine is full-bodied, deep, rich, lush and plush on the palate with layers of ripe, supple, silky dark red fruits with intensity, purity, and salty tannins. The wine is hitting all the right notes. And even better, as good as it is now, with some age, this is going to be even better. This is in competition for the highest scoring, well-priced wine in all of Bordeaux. This is a reminder, grab this wine by the case. Eventually, prices will rise. Remember, you heard it here first. Drink from 2023-2045."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A terrific effort from an estate that was long one of Saint-Émilion's sleeping giants, the 2019 Laroque unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, licorice, loamy soil, rose petals and sweet tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with succulent aids, powdery tannins and a seamless, integrated profile. It's well worth seeking out."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackcurrant, cherry and violet aromas follow through to a medium to full body with very well-integrated tannins that give a soft and creamy impression. Long and satisfying already, but needs another three or four years to come together. Try after 2023."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Feine Edelholznuancen, floral unterlegt, zart nach Blaubeeren und Lakritze, Orangenblüten, facettenreiches, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, engmaschig, reife Herzkirschen, feine Fruchtsüße, reifes, tragendes Tannine, sehr gute Länge und Frische, ein Hauch von Honig im Abgang, mineralisch und anhaftend, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

DECANTER: "Ripe cherries and strawberries on the nose. This is juicy and bright with summer berry flavours, soft but present tannins and juicy acidity. Lightly structured, a softly sweet style, for earlier drinking with a lovely vein of stoney minerality that cleans the tongue and leaves a cool feel to the mouth. Elegant, well framed."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Still a touch reticent but it's all there, from the dark plum and warmed cassis notes to the underpinning of warm loam and sweet tobacco accents. Features fine-grained tannins, with good cut through the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2035. 11,800 cases made, 1,840 cases imported."