Laroque 2021: ‘Saint-Émilion’s brightest rising star’– Antonio Galloni
Laroque 2021
‘Saint-Émilion’s brightest rising star’ – Antonio Galloni
Difficult vintages often bring out some of the finest wines as winemakers are forced to be at their best. This seems to be the case for Laroque in 2021. It was a tough vintage for growers, yet Laroque 'fashioned a gem', says Antonio Galloni. William Kelley opines that it's 'likely to surpass the estate's 2018 vintage in quality', which is no mean feat considering the 95 points Wine Advocate awarded the 2018 once in bottle. Considering its scores and en primeur price (8% lower in rand terms than 2020), Laroque is the best buy in all of Bordeaux in 2021!
Take a look at the astonishing value Laroque 2021 offers:
| Wine | Price* | AG** | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laroque, Saint-Émilion | R422 | 93-95 | |
| Fonplegade, Saint-Émilion | R629 | 93-95 | 49% |
| Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien | R667 | 93-95 | 58% |
| Malescot Saint-Exupéry, Margaux | R796 | 93-95 | 89% |
| Haut-Batailley, Pauillac | R847 | 93-95 | 101% |
| Léoville Poyferre, Saint-Julien | R1 540 |
93-95 |
265% |
| Pontet Canet, Pauillac | R1 578 | 93-95 | 274% |
| Figeac, Saint-Émilion | R3 394 | 93-95 | 704% |
* Price excludes VAT and shipping charges. Wines to arrive in 2024, subject to shipping availability. VAT and shipping charges payable on arrival in SA
** Antonio Galloni for Vinous.com
Château Laroque's 12th century tower bears testament to its long history. Although the estate saw a period of dormancy throughout the 20th century, the appointing of David Suire to oversee the entire wine operation in 2015 elevated the property to the status of 'Saint-Émilion's brightest rising star' (Antonio Galloni). William Kelley of Wine Advocate agrees: 'David Suire…is resurrecting one of Saint-Émilion's sleeping giants.'
Laroque is Saint-Émilion's largest property, but the real value lies beneath the surface – in its variation of red, blue, and fine clay combined with limestone – as well as in its extraordinary vines. The '70s and '80s saw a drive among the Bordelais to bring in new, earlier ripening clones that could handle the cooler, wetter climate from preceding decades. Laroque didn't plant any of these clones and so the vineyards are still made up of massal selection*** vines, older than 50 years on average, and some dating back to the 1930s! The combination of limestone variations and a truly unique genetic old-vine heritage results in wines of incredible precision, depth, and structure.
*** Replanting new vineyards with cuttings from exceptional old vines from the same (or a nearby) property.
