Laroque 2022

The 2022 Laroque was picked at 41hL/ha between 14 and 30 September, representing 45% of the total production. It has a clean and precise bouquet with brambly red fruit, hints of liquorice and iodine. Quite voluptuous in style, though thankfully, it retains delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe red fruit. Fine structure, very supple in the mouth. The lightly spiced finish comes across just a little sweeter than I would have liked, prompting me to be a bit more cautious with my score than I otherwise might have been.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2045 16 May 2023

Clearly one of the new superstars in the appellation, Château Laroque is located on the cooler, eastern edge of Saint-Emilion and consists of pure, classic upper plateau limestone soils. The estate covers a whopping 54 hectares, which gives director Davie Suire ample flexibility when putting together the Grand Vin. Looking at the 2022 Laroque, it's a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare, representing just 45% of the total production, and it will spend 16-18 months in 50% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty offers a classic Saint-Emilion bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, and a liquid rock-like sense of minerality. It’s medium to full-bodied, has incredible purity, and ultra-fine tannins. It’s unquestionably another beautiful vintage for this chateau that readers will love.

Score: 95 - 97

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 10 May 2023

Another impressive performance from this estate, the 2022 Laroque offers up aromas of sweet berries, violets, iris and exotic spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate with a rich core of fruit that's framed by lively acids, concluding with a taut, chalky finish. Once again, it's the result of a strict selection that sees only 45% of the production released as the grand vin.

Score: 93 - 95

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 28 April 2023