Laroque is simply a must. Having recently visited the property again, I’m more convinced than ever of how special it is. A combination of old vines, the magic of the limestone plateau in Saint-Émilion and sincere people all make Laroque a requirement for those who appreciate fine wine. And so we conclude this year’s Bordeaux en primeur campaign by focusing on their 2024 – a wine that outclasses its humble price tag at only R2 760 per case of six.
In doubt about the value of buying Laroque en primeur? Consider the following example: Laroque 2021 was offered during the en primeur campaign for R422 per bottle. After shipping, delivery costs and VAT, the cost per bottle totalled R540 (roughly). This same wine now retails for R795 – that’s a 32% saving had you bought en primeur! Though Bordeaux 2021 was not touted as a great vintage, David Suire captured the attention of South African winemakers when he visited us in March. Among a host of other Bordeaux wines and vintages, his Laroque 2021 emerged as wine of the lunch. It maintains a level of ripeness and, more importantly, freshness that is utterly delicious – even in its youth. Order the 2021 here.
Laroque 2024 is a wine of similar frame and freshness. In Bordeaux, a vintage that rewards long-term cellaring is often considered great. Nowadays there is a move to earlier drinking wines, but our language for vintage quality is still largely built on the idea of longevity and power only. And thus 2024 (like 2021) offers a paradox to the market: on one hand the wines are criticised on account of their narrower palates and fresher frames, yet consumers decry big wines with mountainous structures that require 15+ years of ageing. Will Laroque 2024 go down as the greatest vintage ever? I doubt it. Will the wines mature for 20+ years? I’m not sure. Is it already delicious and approachable, with the potential to age for a decade? Absolutely.
View all our Bordeaux EP 2024 wines.
