Chateau Laroque
Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2017
| Denomination | AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Area | Bordeaux (France) |
| Grape varieties | 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc |
| Aging | Ageing on fine lees partly in barriques and partly in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% new wood); first racking after 4–6 months, second one year later before bottling. |
Description
What kind of wine it is
Chateau Laroque Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé is a red wine of great elegance and depth, produced by Château Laroque in the heart of Bordeaux. This renowned Saint-Émilion is crafted from a skilful blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. It presents a garnet red hue with purple highlights, introducing a complex aromatic profile that weaves together notes of blueberries, black cherries and black raspberries with hints of lilac, Indian spices, unsmoked cigars and espresso. On the palate, it offers a full body, supported by extremely fine tannins and a vibrant freshness, leading each sip towards an exceptionally long mineral finish that is always surprising.
Where it comes from
The roots of this red wine lie in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, an area of exceptional prestige within the famous Saint-Émilion region. The vineyards of Château Laroque stretch across a limestone plateau, where old vines over forty years of age express the full character of their terroir. The soil morphology is varied: the east-facing terraces alternate between red and chestnut-coloured clays on asteria limestone, while the western slopes are dominated by a bluish clay rich in gypsum. This unique geological combination gives the grapes a natural concentration, enhancing the wine’s structure and imparting a profound savoury and mineral character.
How it is produced
Production begins with manual harvesting by individual plots, respecting the optimal ripening times of the grapes. Fermentation takes place in small concrete vats through a gentle extraction based on punching down and pumping over, a technique that enhances the richness of the fruit. Afterwards, the wine is aged on fine lees in a combination of barriques and large oak casks from France and Austria, with a balanced use of new wood. This wine is ideal for pairing with game and red meats, robust braised dishes and mature cheeses.
History and Curiosities
Château Laroque, dominated by a majestic 12th-century tower, stands on an extraordinary limestone plateau in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. Over the years, several generations have ennobled the estate, bringing it to the top of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé classification. The roots of the old vines, tended for decades, draw out the essence of an exceptional terroir to forge this memorable 2017 vintage. Awarded 93 points by Vinous, this red wine is a gem for any collector.
Awards
-
2017
92/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2017
93/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
| Name | Chateau Laroque Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2017 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red green still |
| Denomination | Saint-Emilion AOC |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Vendor | Chateau Laroque |
| Story | History and Curiosities Château Laroque, dominated by a majestic 12th-century tower, stands on an extraordinary limestone plateau in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. Over the years, several generations have ennobled the estate, bringing it to the top of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé classification. The roots of the old vines, tended for decades, draw out the essence of an exceptional terroir to forge this memorable 2017 vintage. Awarded 93 points by Vinous, this red wine is a gem for any collector. |
| Origin | Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Bordeaux, France |
| Soil composition | Plateau of chestnut and red clays on asteria limestone, with east-facing terraces and west-facing slopes of very chalky bluish clays. |
| Harvest | Late September and early October 2017 (Merlot: 25–30 September and 3–4 October; Cabernet Franc: 4 October) |
| Production technique | Fermentation in small-capacity cement vats, with gentle extraction through punching down and pumping over, and protective maceration; ageing on fine lees partly in barriques and partly in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% new wood) |
| Wine making | Fermentation in small-capacity concrete vats; gentle extraction through a combination of punching down and pumping over; protective maceration to enhance fleshiness and savouriness; ageing on fine lees partly in barriques and partly in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% new wood), with the first racking after 4–6 months and the second a year later before bottling. |
| Aging | Ageing on fine lees partly in barriques and partly in large French and Austrian oak casks (50% new wood); first racking after 4–6 months, second one year later before bottling. |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |