2016 Ch Laroque, St Emilion

The 2016 Laroque, now under the direction of David Suire, who works with Nicolas Thienpont (only at Beausejour Duffau and Larcis Ducasse, to be fair), is clearly a Saint-Émilion on the upswing. This latest bottled vintage is a joy. It delivers a substantial, complex bouquet, a mixture of black and blue fruit with a discreet warm gravel note evolving over the course of an hour. The palate is well balanced and impressively structured, presenting well-judged acidity and a classically styled, mineral-driven finish. Everything is in place for a great wine, but it deserves a minimum of five years in the cellar.

93 points Neal Martin vinous.com

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.

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown robertparker.com

One of Saint Émilion's oldest and largest estates, Château Laroque has undergone a remarkable renaissance under the Beaumartin family, emerging as one of Bordeaux's standout performers. Its expansive vineyards sit atop the famous limestone plateau, where a combination of altitude, clay and limestone soils consistently produces wines of freshness, precision and remarkable depth. Today, Château Laroque is recognised as one of the Right Bank's great value classics.

The exceptional 2016 vintage is regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest, delivering fruit of extraordinary purity, balance and structure. The estate's elevated vineyards produced Merlot and Cabernet Franc of outstanding concentration while preserving freshness and mineral tension. Careful vineyard management and restrained oak maturation have created a wine that combines generosity with remarkable elegance.

Deep garnet with youthful ruby highlights, the bouquet reveals aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry layered with violets, cedar and subtle spice. As the wine opens, notes of graphite, tobacco leaf, truffle and forest floor emerge, adding complexity and a distinctive limestone character. The palate is beautifully composed, with ripe dark fruits framed by silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a finely etched mineral backbone. Powerful yet effortlessly refined, the finish lingers with savoury spice, floral perfume and impressive persistence.

A magnificent partner for roast duck, herb crusted lamb, beef Wellington, wild mushroom pappardelle or mature Comté. Already immensely enjoyable with a generous decant, this outstanding Saint Émilion has the balance and pedigree to reward patient cellaring for many years.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2045.