CHÂTEAU LAROQUE 2015

SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU CLASSÉ

Since the 12th century, Château Laroque has occupied an historical terroir, a mix of limestone rock and fine clays, superbly located on the slopes and high point of the plateau of Saint-Emilion.

TERROIRS

Plateau made up of chestnut-coloured and red clays over asteria limestone with east-facing terraces and west-facing slopes of very chalky, fine blueish clays.

VINEYARD

61 hectares (151 acres) of old vines from massal selections - Merlot and Cabernet of over 50 years old.

HARVEST

Manual harvesting on a plot-by-plot basis according to terroir and ripeness.

The Merlot was picked on 3 October, from 5 to 10 October and on 12 October. The Cabernets on 12 October.

BLEND

89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

YIELD AND SELECTION

42hl/ha, with painstaking selection of 49% of the grapes and juices to go into the First Wine

SECOND WINE

Les Tours de Laroque

ANALYSIS DATA

ALC: 14. 5° - pH: 3.53

VINIFICATION

Vat-filling using gravity flow and whole uncrushed berries. Plot by plot vinification in small capacity concrete vats. Gentle extraction via a mix of punching down of cap and pump-overs. Protective macerations aiming for more flesh and salinity.

AGEING

Reductive ageing on fine lees partially in barriques and partially in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% of new wood). 1st racking after 6 to 10 months ageing (before the summer); the 2nd one year later, before the bottling.

Bottled from 12 to 16 June 2017.

 RATINGS

JAMES SUCKLING / 94 / TOP 100 BORDEAUX 2015

“The purity of fruit in this is superb with blackberry and blueberry character, Rose pétals and salt as well. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and fresh and cool finish. Clearly the best wine ever from here.” - Friday, February 2, 2018

JEB DUNNUCK / 93

“The 2015 Château Laroque from winemaker David Suire is a beauty offering tons of floral nuances in its ripe red and blue fruits, violets and bouquet garni like aromas and flavors. Ripe, opulent, and broad on the palate, with sweet tannin and a charming, yet surprisingly lengthy style, it has the depth and concentration to keep for 10-15 years.” – November 30, 2017

VINOUS - ANTONIO GALLONI / 92

“The 2015 Laroque is a sumptuous, racy wine. Bright red stone fruit, plum, blood orange, mint and wild flowers are all pushed forward in this deceptively medium-bodied Saint-Émilion. The 10% Cabernet Franc makes a significant contribution to the wine's aromatic top register and bright, saline-infused finish. There is a level of depth and overall silkiness in this old-vine Saint-Émilion that is quite appealing. The 2015 is tasty and promising, even at this early stage. I was quite impressed with the 2015 Laroque, the first vintage made under the stewardship of David Suire, who works alongside Nicolas Thienpont at a number of other properties. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what Suire does here over the coming years.” – April, 2016

WINE SPECTATOR – JAMES MOLESWORTH / 92

“Warm plum sauce, crushed blackberry and cassis flavors form the core, supported by an ample lacing of black licorice and toasted apple wood notes. Offers a brambly edge, with the apple wood element holding sway on the finish, but there's enough fruit to wait this out. Best from 2023 through 2035. 11,667 cases made.” - March 31, 2018.

JEAN-MARC QUARIN / 92

“Ma meilleure note donnée à ce cru en primeur. Le vin est plus en chair que d’habitude. Grâce au millésime et grâce aussi à la nouvelle approche des hommes. David Suire, vinificateur de Larcis Ducasse a aussi pris la direction de Laroque en septembre 2015. Moelleux, fondant, parfumé, aromatique et juteux, le vin offre un toucher noble et s’achève long et séveux. C’est délicieux. L’élevage pourrait encore le révéler.” - Avril 2016

THE WINE DOCTOR – CHRIS KISSACK / 16-17/20

“Château Laroque 2015: This estate, one of the most ancient in all St Emilion, is at the beginning of a long-overdue revitalisation. The previously incumbent winemaker has retired, and he has been replaced by David Suire, who has done so much working alongside Nicolas Thienpont at Larcis Ducasse and Beauséjour. The grand vin takes just 49% of the harvest, and the blend is 89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is clearly very different from the Laroque of old, still showing some of the old character, but now with more concentration and conviction. There is dark, precise plum character, with a slightly sooty touch. The palate is full of pretty fruit, perfumed black cherry and plum, supple, yet energetic and convincing. Ripe, quite savoury, with a tannic core. This is a huge improvement on the Laroque of old, elegant and pure yet showing real substance. This is certainly going to be a domaine to watch now.” May, 2016

An estate set for revitalisation under the new management of David Suire. Black cherry fruit here, sweet but dark and concentrated, with notes of black olive and a rosemary twist as well. The palate is fresh, poised, with lovely polish and texture, with a beautiful black fruit character, lovely texture, lovely grip too, and real conviction. An impressive wine; I feel this is an energetic, spicy, tannin-laden, impressive step up from the old-school Château Laroque of old.” – June, 2016

DECANTER – JANE ANSON / 93

December, 2017

WINE ENTHUSIAST – ROGER VOSS / 93-95

“Barrel Sample. Powerful and ripe, this is a solid, serious wine. It has dark tannins that are integrated into the rich black fruits. The wood is filling the texture with spice and a touch of bitter chocolate. It will be a full, dense wine, lifted by its juicy acidity.” – April, 2016

VINIFERA / JACQUES PERRIN / 90-92

“Révélation du millésime. Ce Cru Classé de St-Emilion appartient à la même famille depuis 60 ans. Avec 60 ha situés sur le plateau de St-Emilion, il est sans doute le plus grand vignoble d’un seul tenant en St-Emilion cru classé. La direction du domaine a été confiée à David Suire dont c’est le premier millésime. Principalement axé sur le merlot avec un pourcentage de cabernet franc, le 2015 se présente sous un profil aromatique très fruité avec de la profondeur. Le corps est harmonieux, précis dans ses articulations et bien rythmé avec une assise tannique très fine. Jolie finale bien structurée.”

REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE - PIERRE CITERNE / 16,5/20

“Le fruit montre d’emblée de l’éclat et de la cohérence. Malgré son assise terrienne, le vin possède un profil délié qui évoluera vers l’élégance. Pour son premier millésime à la tête de Laroque, vignoble de 61 hectares, David Suire livre une interprétation totalement convaincante du cru.” - Septembre 2017.

RENÉ GABRIEL / 17/20

“ 89 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Intensives, reifes Kirschenbouquet, leicht unterlegt mit Mokkanuancen, ausladend. Im Gaumen sehr saftig, füllige Textur, tolle Länge. Nach Jahren der Lethargie hat der Direktor David Suire (im Bild unten) das historische Château aus dem Dornröschen-schlaf gehoben. 2022 – 2036 ». – April, 2016