The 2016 Château Laroque is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, produced by a historic estate known for its stunning 18th-century château and extensive 61-hectare vineyard, the largest in Saint-Émilion. Crafted under the direction of David Suire, this vintage reflects the estate’s limestone and clay terroir, delivering a wine of elegance and structure. It offers a generous, enticing nose of juicy plum, black and red cherry, violets, and dark chocolate, with undercurrents of black tea, lilacs, and wet slate. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with ripe, grainy tannins, bold freshness, and densely packed red and black fruit, finishing with a lingering mineral note. The wine is aged in 50% new French and Austrian oak for 12 months, adding spice and wood smoke nuances. It’s a classic Saint-Émilion, balancing vibrancy and delineation, with a silky, polished texture.
Critics’ Reviews
- Wine Advocate (94 points): “The 2016 Laroque is blended of 95% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines more than 50 years old and aged in 50% new French and Austrian oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly unfurls to reveal a beautiful core of redcurrants, Morello cherries, wild blueberries and fresh plums with touches of lilacs, oolong tea, chargrill, bay leaves and yeast extract plus a hint of wet slate. Medium to full-bodied, taut and finely textured with ripe, grainy tannins, it has bold freshness cutting through the densely packed red and black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”
- James Suckling (92 points): “Very pure aromas of Merlot with dark berries, violets and hints of dark chocolate. Medium-bodied, bright and focused with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Shows composure and finesse in the winemaking.”
- Vinous (Antonio Galloni): Described as a Saint-Émilion that “impresses with its vibrancy and delineation. Superb,” highlighting its classicism and structure.
- Wine Enthusiast (90–92 points, barrel sample): “While this wine is firm, it also has generous fruit. The tannins form a core around which the fruitiness revolves. The acidity and the solid structure will allow it to age; try after 2027.”
- Average critic score: 91 points (Wine-Searcher). Community reviews on CellarTracker average 91.2 points, though some note a lack of complexity or short finish at $30, suggesting variability in perception.
Food Pairings
The 2016 Château Laroque’s rich, tannic structure and juicy fruit make it versatile for food pairings, particularly with:
- Beef and venison: Grilled or roasted cuts, such as ribeye or venison loin, complement the wine’s dark fruit and earthy notes.
- Game: Pheasant, duck, or wild boar, which pair with the wine’s savory tobacco and mineral undertones.
- Blue cheeses: Gorgonzola or Roquefort enhance the wine’s fruit-forward profile and tannic grip.
- Tomato-based dishes: Slow-cooked ragù or lasagna, balancing the wine’s acidity and fruit.
- Chocolate and caramel: Dark chocolate desserts or caramel-based dishes highlight the wine’s sweet spice and plum notes.
Drink Window
The 2016 Château Laroque is approachable now with decanting (1–2 hours recommended) but will benefit from further aging. Optimal drinking window: 2024–2038. Critics suggest it needs 5–7 years of bottle age to fully integrate its fine tannins and acidity, with potential to evolve for two decades or more under proper cellaring conditions.
