Chateau Laroque Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018

A blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc representing just 41% of the total production, the 2018 Château Laroque is still resting in barrels and oak tanks. Its deep purple color is followed by a classy bouquet of ripe black cherries, cassis, graphite, licorice, and crushed rocks. Deep, medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful mid-palate and ripe, silky tannins, it's an incredible success for the estate, which is firing on all cylinders today thanks to the talented David Suire!

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Laroque is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant black cherries, wild blueberries and blackberry preserves scents with hints of crushed rocks, underbrush and violets plus a waft of Marmite toast. Full-bodied and jam-packed with bright, crunchy black and blue fruits, it has a firm line of ripe, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing very long and layered. Impressive! Being aged in oak barriques, 50% new, the blend is 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

The 2018 Laroque is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Silky, polished and refined, the 2018 marks a major step forward for the château. Lavender, spice, blueberry, cedar and mint all grace a Saint-Émilion built more on finesse than power. The long, persistent finish, with its saline accents, adds to the wine's pedigree. The 2018 is beautifully done. The blend is 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Technical Director David Suire gave the 2018 lots 26-29 days on the skins fermented in cement, with manual pump-overs and punch-downs. New oak is 55%.

This is really delicious with so much dark-berry and stone character. Full to medium body and super, integrated tannins. Bright and generous. One of the best from here. We will see if it is better than 2016 and 2015.

Beautifully measured, elegant and restrained, this has juiciness and hidden power. It's definitely less exuberant than some, giving tight black fruits and fine tannins alongside a limestone grip and a slate crawl across the palate, slowing you down and forcing you to pay attention as the floral character comes slowly winding out of the glass.

The 2018 Laroque fulfills the promise it showed from barrel last year. It has an irresistible bouquet of layered black cherry and blueberry fruit, fresh and lively with beautifully integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and a spicy, black-pepper-tinged finish that feels ever so slightly attenuated. Give this 3–4 years in bottle if you can.