CHATEAU LAROQUE Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion 2021 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | 75cl
£39.95
/
£239.70
£227.72 case
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Saint-Émilion
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Description
Château Laroque, the largest Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, is renowned for its historic vineyard on the limestone plateau, meticulously revitalised under the careful stewardship of the Beaumartin family. The 2021 vintage was a classically styled year, with a cool, wet spring and a temperate summer that demanded rigorous selection, resulting in wines of remarkable freshness and aromatic purity.
Comprising 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, this wine offers an inviting aroma of fresh red berries, violet, and a distinct chalky minerality. On the palate, it delivers a beautifully pure and energetic experience; fine, supple tannins cradle vibrant red fruit flavours, perfectly lifted by a precise, refreshing acidity. The finish is long, clean, and profoundly pure, showcasing the estate's exceptional terroir and promising excellent evolution.
A Deeper Dive;
Chateau Laroque
On a remarkable geological site, specific to viticulture tailored for fine wines, Château Laroque achieved its first distinction in the 16th century.
The wines of Bordeaux established their reputation, including the nectars from the Laroque estate, which under the ownership of the Lavie family, grew up to 270 hectares. During the Second Empire, the estate still covered around 130 hectares (321 acres). Today, it still remains the largest wine estate in Saint-Émillion with 61 hectares.
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With the aim of obtaining the best possible grapes, the soils are naturally grassed or sown with cereals, and some ploughing and hoeing is carried out according to the seasons. Working the soil, respecting the wooded areas and hedges all contribute to the balance of the site, but without first-rate plant material there can be no fine wine.
Observation, patience and meticulous attention to detail go into every manual operation in the vineyard. As many times as necessary, the winegrower repeats the pruning, bending, disbudding, shoot thinning and wire lifting for each vine... Today, it is the diversity of the vines planted here that makes this vineyard a living heritage, rich and rare. The team knows the value of diversity within each variety: diversity gives more taste than uniformity!
THE WINE ADVOCATE - 92+ Points
"The 2021 Laroque opens in the glass with aromas of dark, minty berries, orange zest and toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a sweet core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, mineral finish. This has turned out very nicely in bottle, and given its low-pH profile, it's likely to reward some bottle age."
Drink 2027-2041.
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JANCIS ROBINSON - 16.5/20 Points
"Deep crimson hue. Dark and racy on the nose. Good depth of succulent mid-palate fruit. Plenty of polished tannin providing drive and persistence. A little chalkiness but nothing abrasive. Ambitious and with potential." (JL)
Drink 2027 – 2038