2018 Château Laroque

Description

97    Lisa Perrotti-Brown for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Laroque is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant black cherries, wild blueberries and blackberry preserves scents with hints of crushed rocks, underbrush and violets plus a waft of Marmite toast. Full-bodied and jam-packed with bright, crunchy black and blue fruits, it has a firm line of ripe, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing very long and layered. Impressive! Being aged in oak barriques, 50% new, the blend is 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.”

95-97    Jeb Dunnuck
“A blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc representing just 41% of the total production, the 2018 Château Laroque is still resting in barrels and oak tanks. Its deep purple color is followed by a classy bouquet of ripe black cherries, cassis, graphite, licorice, and crushed rocks. Deep, medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate and ripe, silky tannins, it’s a beautiful success for the estate, which appears to be firing on all cylinders today thanks to the talented team of David Suire and Nicolas Thienpont!”

92-95    Wine Spectator
“Well-proportioned, featuring cassis and blackberry fruit, balanced by brambly grip, juicy acidity and lively anise and black tea details. Very nicely put together.”

94    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.”

93    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.”