Château Laroque 2022

Château Laroque is the largest estate in Saint-Émilion - coming in at an impressive 61 hectares (approximately, 150 acres).   Yet despite its formidable size, the viticultural team of this Grand Cru Classé property manages to produce excellent vintages on a yearly basis, garnering more critical acclaim with each passing year.  Starting with the 2018 vintage, after being distributed on an exclusive basis for many years, the owners of Château Laroque decided to offer the wine through Bordeaux’s en primeur network.  Akin to the markets in financial assets, Place de Bordeaux is the marketplace where wine trading happens, bridging the gap between producers and buyers.  To sweeten the offer to buyers, Château Laroque priced its wine below where its quality would have fetched.  This not only left a good taste on the palate of the buyers but also profit in their pocket.  Many of our Bordeaux futures customers have seen the value of their Laroque holdings double in less than two years.

Château Laroque has a rich history dating back to the 12th Century when it was a defensive stronghold overlooking the undulating hills of Saint-Émilion.  If one visits the estate today, one will be sure to find remnants of an imposing guard tower that used to be on the grounds.  As far back as the 16th Century, the potential of the incredible terroir at Château Laroque was readily apparent.  The magnificent Château that sits on the grounds today was constructed in the 17th Century by Marquis de Rochefort-Lavie. Château Laroque remained in the same family until the Great Depression in 1929 and the estate temporarily halted wine production because they didn’t have the funds to continue. 

In 1935, Château Laroque was acquired by the Beaumartin family.  They were descendants of the Marquis who built the original château.  In a serendipitous way, the estate returned to them.   Things started to take off for the property around 2015, after an impressive renovation and extensive replanting of the vineyards.  Perhaps one of the most intelligent decisions that were made here was bringing on the talented David Suire to take over managing Château Laroque. For years, David Suire has been the right-hand man of the well-respected Nicolas Thienpont.  The Thienponts have a long history in Bordeaux, owning properties such as Château Le Pin and Vieux Chateau Certan.  Nicolas wasn’t initially interested in entering the Wine Industry, but after University he started managing properties like Château Pavie Macquin and transforming them into Premiere Grand Cru Classé estates.  Nicholas hired David after he graduated from university and mentored him.  The two have been working together ever since.  After honing his winemaking skills next to the Thienponts, David Suire now has a magnificent property to put his insights and skills to work.  Early results already show the great hiring decision the Beaumartins made, as the accolades roll in, and commercial success ensues.

The vines of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are 40 years old on average and farmed using 100% organic techniques.  They choose not to be certified organic, simply because they want the freedom to make a wider variety of choices.  Château Laroque is also HVE Certified, a rigorous process granted to vineyards that focus on increasing biodiversity, decreasing the negative environmental impact of their vineyards, and improving water management.  The wines at Château Laroque are known for their delicate, mineral-driven nuance. The 2018 vintage was their first entering the en primeur or futures marketplace, as they were previously distributed exclusively through one firm.  At Laguna Cellar, we were one of the first to discover this and leaped at the opportunity to acquire this wine for our customers who were loyal fans of this producer.  Given the excellence of their grand vin, it’s fairly easy to see why.

"Looking at the Grand Vin 2022 Château Laroque, it checks in as 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new oak with a mix in larger formats, as well as a portion in foudre. Gorgeous black raspberries, spring flowers, graphite, and truffly mineral and crushed stone-like nuances all shine in this stunningly complex, medium to full-bodied effort. With ripe, polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and ultra-fine tannins, it's going to drink well for at least 30 years. The alcohol here is a healthy 14.7 with a pH of 3.4. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine! Buy a case for your cellar. You can thank me later." - Jeb Dunnuck, (02/27/2025), Ratings: 97, Drink: 2025-2055

"Superb quality delivering grip and lift, with the fleshy black fruits underpinned by steel, crushed slate and softer crayon. Well defined black fruits, mouthwatering, vivid, energetic, one to look out for. 3.55ph reductive ageing on fine lees, 1st racking after 6 months, harvest September 14 to 30, Vineyard located on the limestone plateau and slopes at one of highest points of St Emilion in St Christophe des Bardes, owned by the Beaumartin family, David Suire director." - Jane Anson, Bordeaux Insider, (03/07/2025), Ratings: 97, Drink: 2030-2048

"A clear stand out in 2022 that delivers refined density and sublime drinking pleasure. Smells perfumed and opulent, aromatically expressive and alive on the nose. Full bodied, rich and concentrated, intense and filling - there is clear power but it's so delicately and elegantly presented with such succulence and a juicy, fun and playful fruitiness. Has both push and density as well a delicious mineral tang. This has a slick and sleek character and feels really made. I love the intense juiciness balanced by the plushness of the fruit, more weighty and dense than some with mass appeal, tons of energy and still lovely clean fresh and cooling St-Emilion typicity. Harvest 14-22 September. Yield of 41hl/ha. 3.55pH." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (05/25/2023), Ratings: 97

"The 2022 Laroque is even better from bottle than it was _en primeur_. Dark, rich and enveloping, the 2022 is seriously impressive. Black cherry, leather, licorice, dried herbs and mocha race across the palate. The possesses superb depth and nuance while capturing all of the richness of the year. Laroque is very clearly one of the sleepers of the year. Superb." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (01/28/2025), Ratings: 95

"The 2022 Laroque has turned out very well indeed in bottle, offering up aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and vibrant palate that's pure, concentrated and penetrating. Harmonious and integrated, this limestone terroir's identity really shines through." -William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (03/07/2025), Ratings: 95