Chateau Laroque 2018
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James - Decanter
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Spectator
Wine
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Winemaker Notes
Superbly located on one of the highest points of Saint-Emilion, Laroque's limestone terroirs have once again shone through brilliantly in this 2018. They have produced wines that are bright, floral, and spicy with fresh salinity and a noble texture, which are the hallmark traits of this this estate.
Blend: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
This estate is in a cool, limestone terroir on the eastern side of Saint- Emilion, and it's been firing on all cylinders over the past decade, in no small part due to the talented director, David Suire. The 2018 Château Laroque checks in as almost all Merlot (there is 3% Cabernet Franc) that comes from an incredibly strict selection of just 41% of the total production. Brought up in a mix of new and used barrels, it's more about finesse than power, offering a gorgeous perfume of ripe black cherries, mulberries, cassis, violets, spring flowers, and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and incredibly elegant on the palate, it builds nicely with time in the glass, has ultra-fine tannins, flawlessly integrated tannins, acidity and fruit, and a great finish. It's as classy as they come. Approachable today with a decant, it will drink nicely for 20 years or more. Readers looking for an impeccably made, classic, high-quality Saint-Emilion that doesn't break the bank should back up the truck for this beauty.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Laroque is composed of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new barriques. The alcohol is 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with flamboyant notes of stewed black plums, Black Forest cake and boysenberries, plus hints of candied violets, star anise and unsmoked cigars with a playful waft of sassafras. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits, supported by plush tannin's and tons of freshness, finishing long and fragrant.
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James Suckling
Aromas of ripe blackcurrants, spiced cherries, cloves, praline, tea leaves and crushed gravel. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins and fresh acidity. Fleshy, chewy layers lead to a long, mineral finish. Late bottling helped here. Try from 2023.
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Decanter
A classically balanced wine, and a concentrated and darkly fruited take on the vintage. This has elegance by the bucketload and is going to reward another five to eight years in bottle. Excellent stuff. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040
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Wine Spectator
This has some frank ripeness with a mix of dark plum, loganberry and cherry paste flavors. They're integrated nicely though, with a sandalwood and dried anise spine for form through the refined finish. Best from 2022 through 2032.
Other Vintages
2022- Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
- Vinous
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Suckling
James - Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert - Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
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Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
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Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
Château Laroque, with its mighty 12th century tower, is an imposing feature in the Saint-Emilion area. Located to the south of the village of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, the estate appears as a defensive stronghold watching over Saint Emilion. Built on a plateau of limestone rock, from which the estate took its name, this outstanding location has been owned by several families, each one of them making their contribution and imparting an added touch of soul to the place.
The restoration of the cellars carried out in the 19th century was the work of Maurice Dufaure de Rochefort, a keen enthusiast of Saint-Emilion wines. Once the new cellars had been completed, he refocused the economic activity of Château Laroque solely on vine-growing.
After the phylloxera epidemic and the hard times that ensued, the estate and its wines were given a new lease of life in 1935 thanks to the unstinting work of its new owners: the Beaumartin family.
Over the decades that followed, with the appointment of estate manager Bruno Sainson, Château Laroque rediscovered its boldness and identity and emerged as one of the finest growths in Saint-Emilion, rising to the rank of Grand Cru Classé in 1996.
This fresh momentum was maintained by Xavier Beaumartin, at the helm of the property from 2004 and succeeded in 2018 by his nephew Stanislas Droin.
The Beaumartin family brought in David Suire in 2015 to take over the management of the wine estate from Bruno Sainson.
A new chapter has thus begun in the history of this majestic property.