The 2023 Chateau Laroque is a Bordeaux Blend crafted predominantly from Merlot (99%) with a small addition of Cabernet Franc (1%). Produced by Laroque in the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France, this red wine is sealed with a cork and is noted for its structured and vibrant character.
According to James Suckling, the wine is "full and substantial, with firm tannins and a crunchy finish," showcasing "lots of blue fruit, blackberry, crushed-stone and mineral character." He further highlights its strong structure and gives it an excellent score of 94 points (jamessuckling.com).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the 2023 Laroque 94 points, with reviewer William Kelley noting its aromas of "dark, minty berries, bay leaf, and creamy new oak." Kelley describes the wine as "medium to full-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins, and a penetrating, mineral finish" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).
Vinous' Neal Martin gave a standout review, scoring the wine 96 points. He praises the "outstanding bouquet" and the wine's ability to convey "transparency and mineralité at a higher level." Martin describes the palate as "medium-bodied with fine tannins" and highlights the "pure black cherry and raspberry fruit," noting the wine's structure and long finish (Vinous).
Jane Anson awarded the wine 95 points, describing it as "medium intensity ruby" with "hidden depths." She highlights its "blueberry, sage, slate" notes and calls it "extremely vibrant" and "delicious" (janeanson.com).
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider also praised the wine, giving it 96 points. He mentions a "strong, marine influence" with "flowers, licorice, red berries, and spice." Leve describes the wine as having a "medium-bodied, energetic core of spicy, fresh, sweet, ripe, salty, red fruits" and calls it a "refined charmer" (TheWineCellarInsider.com).
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown scored the wine 95 points and noted its "deep garnet-purple color." She describes it as having "reluctant scents of cedar and tar" that open to "ripe black and red plums, Bing cherries, and fragrant earth plus a waft of violets." Perrotti-Brown highlights the wine's "great tension and beautifully ripe, rounded tannins" (The Wine Independent).
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine 94 points, emphasizing its "pure, medium-bodied, incredibly elegant profile" with "vibrant raspberry and cassis-driven fruit" and "remarkable freshness and vibrancy." Dunnuck praises its "fine tannins and outstanding length" (jebdunnuck.com).
Lastly, Decanter awarded the wine 95 points, describing a "really perfumed nose" with "purple flowers and dark ripe fruit." The reviewer notes its "cool and crisp palate," "smooth, silky tannin presentation," and "salty, mineral base." The wine is described as "finessed and graceful," making it a compelling choice (Decanter).
Overall, the 2023 Chateau Laroque has received high praise from multiple reviewers, with scores ranging from 94 to 96 points, highlighting its structure, vibrant fruit, fine tannins, and potential for aging.