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.

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. WK

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.

The 2019 Laroque captures all of the potential it showed as a young barrel sample. Succulent and racy to the core, with striking depth, Laroque is voluptuous, creamy and wonderfully inviting right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry fruit, mocha, spice, new leather, licorice and menthol build into the voluptuous finish. Laroque balances fruit intensity with energy. It is certainly impressive in 2019. Tasted two times.

From a cooler terroir on the eastern side of Saint-Emilion, the Château Laroque has been on an upward trajectory over the past handful of years, and the 2019 is another gem readers should snatch up. Vivid notes of crème de cassis, white flowers, truffle, and distinct minerality all give way to a medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced 2019 that has ripe tannins, again, great minerality, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This is classic Saint-Emilion and it reminds me of a slightly more elegant, fresher version of the 2018. It's a beautiful wine. Tasted twice. June 2020

The 2019 Laroque has impressive transparency and focus on the nose, which is well-delineated and mineral-driven, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine grip, and lightly spiced with a touch of black pepper toward the finish. A superb Laroque from winemaker David Siure.