Gault et Millau 17,5/20

Very subtle, floral with gorgeously elegant structure. The sheer delight of fresh, tender fruit with hints of benzoin. (Pierre Guigui)

B.BURTSCHY 93/100 16/20

Dark colour. Intense nose, elegant. All in elegance and length on the palate, straight, superb very pure finish.

DECANTER 16,5/20

More structured than the '09 but without exaggeration. The tender side of Laroze still shows. Lovely fruit expression. Good length. Harmonious. Drink 2016-2025.

Bettane-Desseauve 16-17

A pretty wine, superbly balanced with nothing heavy about it. Lovely rich fruit, smooth, more-ish, elegant length.

Revue des Vins de France 15.5-16.5

Clear progress in the quality of the tannins. They are often a little harsh on the palate, but they are smooth and mellow, which makes this year’s wine very attractive. They are also particularly ripe. With its explosive fruit aromas this wine has gained enormously in roundness. Philippe Maurange.

René Gabriel

Château Laroze : 17
Lafleur Laroze : 16

Niel Martin 86-89

This is certainly displaying some sur-maturite on the nose with touches of fresh prune and fig. The palate is full-bodied with chewy tannins, moderate acidity, attractive purity and showing more refinement and composure towards the sinewy finish. Tasted March 2011.

Jancis Robinson 16/20

Lively and round and very sweet.

JM.QUARIN 16,50-16,75/20

My best score given to this estate’s wines “en primeur”.
This is the most subtle Laroze I know.
Dark, intense, beautiful robe. Elegant, fruity, ripe, smooth, subtle bouquet. Smooth attack, mellow as it develops, very hedonistic, the wine fills out to become rich and airy. Packed with aromas, its finish is long, complex and elegant. Delicious and more epicurean than ever. A great success.

Wine Spectator. James Mollesworth: 89-92

Shows more toasty spice and vanilla aromas, with the core of plum and blackberry fruit staying in reserve for now. Yet there’s solid length, with good grip on the finish. (ndlr: tasted in the US)

James Suckling 91-92

He tasted and published his commentaries far before others and made many jalous...

Roses and berries, with hints of milk chocolate. Full and velvety.

Press Review on Laroze 2010

It is the beginning of the tastings of the vintage 2010 for the professionnals and journalists.
Their commentaries will regularly be published here and will also be accessible on a sheet "press review" on the web site of Laroze.

Press review Laroze 2009

Clic on the title to get the total press review for Laroze 2009.

Robert Parker

A fruity, elegant, soft St Emilion meant to be consumed over the next 6-8 years, the 2009 Laroze exhibits sandy, loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of toasted herbs, sweat black cherries, and currants. This easy-going wine will have broad appeal. 86/88

(It seems like Mr Parker is the only one to have missed the real qualities of this wine...(G.Meslin)

Notes on the notes

I’ve finished reviewing the press response to the 2009 primeurs, or at least those I am aware of. In overall terms, the general message is that Laroze’s position amongst the Saint-Emilion crus classés has moved upwards with an average score of 16-17, which is very good from the journalists who habitually give fairly low scores, and a little low for those who tend to mark higher.
I often feel there is a mismatch between the quality of the tasting comments, which are enthusiastic and the score, which still remains quite inhibited, as if the journalist was afraid of letting go. It is a lot easier for them to be more generous with strong, well-known brands, because there is no risk for them except that of over-evaluating the wine. They have to stick their necks out to be generous about Laroze. So I have a clear vision of how I need to work with them to get them to know Laroze better, especially the older vintages, which often display surprisingly long-lasting youth in their aromatic freshness. Jean-Marc Quarin is an example: author of an enormous in-depth review of Bordeaux wines, having published his 13th report today, was the first commentator some years ago to discover that Laroze was capable of producing some fine successes.
The arrival of Hubert de Boüard in Laroze’s team of technical advisors brings visibility and credibility for journalists, which will reassure them and strengthen their belief that Laroze is a fully reliable Saint-Emilion, which it would be a shame to omit from one’s cellar.

La Revue du Vin de France 16/17

Magnificently well-made vintage. Dense, very floral, complex bouquet. Full and sensual on the palate with tasty tannins. Nice and ripe, but remains very fresh. The wine has become bigger and riper, and the tannins are much smoother.16/17 (Philippe Maurange)

BETTANE & DESSEAUVE 16,5-17/20

This cru classé, located between Libourne and Saint-Émilion has been using organic methods for a while now. Now advised by Hubert de Boüard, Laroze has held on to its pure, non-pretentious style, while smoothing the edges of a wine that can sometimes be a little abrupt. 16,5-17/20

Niel Martin Primeur 2009

« Tasted at Angélus.This has a very ripe, apricot, fig and black cherry scented nose that has noticeable warm alcohol. Very plush and with a lot of creamy new oak. The palate is very supple and rounded on the entry, slightly lower acidity than others, harmonious with supple black cherry, boysenberry and date; lush and generous towards the finish. Tasted March 2010.” 88-90.

James Suckling

Blueberry and mineral aromas. Follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a medium finish.

Decanter rating 2009

Three stars only for Laroze but with 16-plus, which is the best score in the three stars category, just a little step before to get in the four stars.
Within the 57 Grand Crus Classés, it puts us back to the 20th position. JM.Quarin put us in the five/seven best wines.
"A very pretty wine this year. Ripe, fragrant,gentle and restrained. Supple fruit with a fine tannic frame. Drink 2014-2024"