2024, Château Laroque, SAINT-ÉMILION, Grand CruLast year EP $42. 00 Chateau Laroque dates back to the 12th century perched high up on a ridge (pictured above) with vineyards flowing down over limestone soil. In 2015 they hired David Suire as director of the estate to reinvigorate the winery. David Suire is well known in Bordeaux, especially in Saint Emilion for his work with the team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt and has transformed the fortunes of this Saint Emilion with a

understated

Decadently approachable now

Visually arresting in its deep plum and violet colour

exigent agronomy and meticulous winemaking can deliver greatness even in a less propitious vintage

framed by a firm backbone of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness

with precision-cut citrus

Deep garnet in colour

this wine is sweet with pineapple and honey

The 2020 is a gorgeous wine that is also a wine of transition

but never less than enjoyable

but it should fill out during élevage

The first sample was from a 2018 barrel which marked the wine a little too much