Château Laroque 2024 en Primeur

A ripe, plush merlot with lots of dark cherries, plums and berries on the nose. Quite bright on the palate, with lovely dark fruit and freshness. Fine tannins, with a medium body and a lengthy finish. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.

Perfumed raspberry and cherry fruit with creamy scents and lots of rose aromatics. Glossy and rich, this has great concentration from the start. Cool and crisp, a touch of grip - the fine but firm tannins gives a structured mouthfeel with blueberry fruit and freshly picked mint on the finish. Round, juicy and with energy and lovely licks of salty minerality. Well made by winemaker David Suire, this will be a crowd pleaser and likely to be good value. 3.75pH. Ageing 80% new oak, 20% one year old oak for 16 months. (Georgina Hindle)

Un bel éclat aromatique pour ce vin défini par ses 98% de merlot. Dans la lignée des derniers millésimes, il se montre précis, porté par une dynamique calcaire traçante. À l'élevage, la diminution de bois neuf (moitié en barriques de 225 l et 500 l, moitié en foudres de 30 à 90 hl) accompagne avec tact le millésime. Revigorant ! (Olivier Poels)

Coming from a cooler terroir of pure limestone soils, including 15% hillside parcels, the 2024 Château Laroque is based on 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc and is resting in 50% new oak. This beautifully hued effort offers vibrant notes of ripe blackberries, juicy cassis, violets, spring flowers, and a chalky minerality. It is medium-bodied, with a pure, elegant, and layered mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. This is a clean, crisp, and elegant Laroque with ripe tannins and plenty of charm. Harvest here stretched from September 27 to October 8.

Intense dried herbs and parma violet aromas. Quite distinctive and inviting. Juicy and round with low and supple tannins which signifies a good answer to the question of the vintage. Juicy sappy fruit and a fresh finish. Not for the very long term, but pleasant and well made. 

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine blackberry notes, black forest berries, a hint of dark cherry, some nougat. Lean, fresh and red berry on the palate, racy, animating style, currant touch in the aftertaste. (Peter Moser)