Chateau Laroque 2024

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.

Deep plum colour, cold ash and fennel on the opening, savoury, well judged and well extracted, this is on the slim side, with the focus on cassis bud and rose petals. You probably have to be a bit of a limestone fanatic (as I am) to truly love this vintage of Laroque, because it is less gourmet than in vintages like 2022 and 2023, setting texture and minerality above fruit, but exceptionally well handled by estate director David Suire, and it should soften further ove ageing. Once again a value pick.

• Nombre del Crítico: Jane Anson

The 2024 Laroque has satisfying concentration on the nose with blackberry, wild strawberry and light floral scents. It just needs a little more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with much lighter tannins than recent vintages under winemaker David Suire. The 2024 is nicely balanced, displaying simple and noticeably tertiary red fruit and modest weight on the finish. Sure, it comes across a bit short compared to stellar wines in recent vintages; nevertheless, it should give up to a decade of drinking pleasure.

• Ventana de Consumo: 2029 - 2039
• Nombre del Crítico: Neal Martin

The 2024 Laroque is a sleek, polished wine made mostly from the Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes plateau in this vintage. Silky and aromatic, with mid-weight structure, the 2024 is attractive. However, the challenges of the vintage are evident in the light mid-palate and soft finish. Élevage will be critical. Tasted two times.

• Ventana de Consumo: 2028 - 2039
• Nombre del Crítico: Antonio Galloni