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PREMIUM

The renaissance of St-Émilion’s Château Laroque

With massale-selected Merlots on optimal soils, Château Laroque is a shining light among St-Émilion’s increasingly exciting Grands Crus Classés milieu. Panos Kakaviatos finds out why.

Ever since St-Émilion turned away from the so-called ‘Parkerised’ style of viticulture and winemaking, the region has become a prime hunting ground for drinkers seeking a delicious Bordeaux bargain.

Scores of superb Grands Crus Classés ranging in price between £30 to about £45 a bottle offer excellent value for money.

Rather than being oaky, over-ripe and over extracted, most of the 71 Grands Crus Classés today reflect freshness, wet stone minerality and brighter ripeness from quality limestone and clay soils.

But one of the top St-Émilion Grands Crus Classés – Château Laroque – had never been a ‘Parker Darling’.


Scroll down for a mini-vertical of Château Laroque



Château Laroque: 2005-2020

Wines are listed in vintage order – oldest to youngest


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