The 2020 Laroque is even better than the en primeur sample. Dark and enveloping, with tons of class, Laroque is a winner. Succulent dark plum, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and pipe tobacco give the 2020 tons of nuance. Laroque is class personified. Winemaker David Suire is doing important work here.

Possibly one of the best buys out there, the 2020 Château Laroque comes from a cooler, clay and limestone terroir on the eastern side of the appellation, and this is exactly what you wanted in this vintage. Revealing a vivid purple hue as well as stunning notes of blueberries, cassis, liquid violets, and white truffle, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, and gorgeous length on the finish. It plays in the more nuanced, elegant end of the spectrum yet still brings ample fruit, richness, and texture. It’s a stunning bottle of wine all about finesse and elegance. Tasted twice.

Dark garnet in color with purple edges, the wine is lush, rich and concentrated. Opulent in texture, with layers of velvety, red, black and blue fruits, crushed rocks, chocolate and licorice, there is a gorgeous sense of purity, richness, length and freshness here. The wine shows elegance and refinement as well as layers of fruit on the palate and in the finish. 94-96

The 2020 Laroque is a blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 14.5%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal fantastically opulent notes of Indian spices, rose oil, dark chocolate and licorice, over a core of blueberry preserves, stewed plums and mulberries, plus a hint of dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with layers of black and blue fruits, accented by exotic spices and supported by a racy backbone and velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. Gorgeous.
Drink Date
2024 - 2044
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Aromas of sweet berries with herbs, wet earth and moss undertones as well as fresh mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine and creamy tannins and a lovely finish. It’s polished and refined. Drink after 2025, but already very pretty.

The 2020 Laroque is silky, sensual and polished right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco meld into a core of red/purplish berry fruit. What I like most about the 2020 is its incredible finesse and impeccable balance. This is another terrific effort from Laroque under the leadership of technical director David Suire. Tasted two times.

vinous.com

The 2020 Laroque has a nose that has closed down a little since bottling, though the quality still shines through with blackberry and raspberry fruit, undergrowth, rose petals and light orange rind aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, sweet and candied with a plush finish. It just needs a little more grip and sapidity, though that should emerge with bottle age. Impressive.

Tasted by Jane Anson(at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)

Plenty of sappy, well defined juice running underneath the moody tannic frame, but you need to look away right now because this is closed and subdued. Blueberry purée and a limestone scrape helps build momentum through the mid-palate - give this time. David Suire manages the winemaking.


Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

Full bottle 1,340 g. Cask sample taken 7 April.
Deep crimson but not impenetrable. Mellow, rather unflashy nose with well-integrated acidity and a certain mineral element. Really lively and fresh and rather sleeker than some of the more exhibitionistic St-Émilions. Obviously a long-term, and rather exciting, bet. Bone-dry finish and a fair amount of ripe tannin but not lean or drying, and with a persistent, silky finish. Rather sophisticated.