This wine, a grand cru classé from Château Laroque in Saint-Emilion and the 2020 vintage, is serious in intent. The 2020 vintage is a very good one in Bordeaux, and interestingly enough I’ve tasted very recently four quite different expressions of it from the left and right banks. See for contrast, Château Coucheroy 2020, Brulieres de Beychevelle 2020 and Fleur de Pédesclaux Pauillac 2020. In this group, it might be said that the producer is more determinative to style than vintage.
Château Laroque’s 2020 vintage is a blend of 99% merlot and 1% cabernet franc, so it is almost entirely merlot. Its aroma reminds of dark fruits and smoke. The palate has medium to high acidity, perhaps slightly higher than anticipated, and its flavours remind of cloves and savoury plum skins. The tannins are moderate with a savoury bitterness on the finish. This wine can be approached now and should improve with cellaring of 3 to 5 years, and drink well for another decade. Review Rating: Good to Very Good (★★★☆, 89 points). Website: Château Laroque. Tasted: March 2024.