Château Laroque

Château Laroque, a historic estate in St Emilion with roots dating back to the 12th century, was renowned more for its architectural beauty than the quality of its wine throughout much of its history. The present-day estate, reconstructed in the 17th century by the then-owner Marquis de Rochefort-Lavie, underwent a transformative period in the early 60s. This era saw a dedicated effort to enhance wine quality through the complete replanting of vineyards and the reconstruction of the winery. However, this investment was short-lived, and substantial further changes did not occur until the 21st century.

In 2015, a significant turning point unfolded when the technical director of Châteaux Larcis-Ducasse and Beausejour Duffau assumed the role at Laroque. David Suires took charge under the condition that the estate owners made sufficient investments to fully unlock its clear potential. Laroque's vineyards, occupying an enviable position in St Emilion, encompass 61 hectares, making it the largest in the appellation. Of these, only 40 hectares are classified as Grand Cru Classé.

Despite the extensive vineyard size, historical practices did not prioritise meticulous selection, hindering the estate from realising its full potential until recently. The finest plots, particularly those bordering Troplong-Mondot, boast some of the best terroir in St Emilion. However, the inclusion of less celebrated plots in the past may have compromised overall quality in favour of quantity. This has changed under David Suires' leadership. A comprehensive survey of the vineyards was conducted on his arrival, identifying various 'climats' (individual small plots of differing terroir) and emphasising the need for closer attention to detail in their management. Vinifying separately in smaller batches became essential to maximise potential, along with a more delicate winemaking approach to amplify the benefits of the changes in the vineyard.

The plateau's deep limestone, coupled with a clay base, proves ideal for Merlot, yielding elegance over power. Consequently, Laroque uses relatively little new oak compared to its peers, avoiding domination of the fruit. This approach differs significantly from St Emilion wines of a decade ago, which were often tailored for the American market and critics. While the vineyards adhere to organic farming techniques, they opt not to pursue organic certification for increased flexibility. Nevertheless, they hold HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification.