Chateau Laroze St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

laroze

Learn everything about Chateau Laroze St. Emilion with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

The Meslin family are the current owners of Chateau Laroze, an obscure, St. Emilion classified growth. The Meslin family are the direct descendants of Georges Gurchy and Nelly Gruchy, the founders and creators of Chateau Laroze. However, the Gruchy family has a long history in St. Emilion that dates all the way back to 1610.

At one point in time, the Grouchy family owned a part of neighboring, Yon Figeac. The Gruchy family purchased the original Saint Emilion vineyards of what would become Chateau Laroze in 1882.

They managed to build the chateau, vat rooms, and cellars a few years later in 1885. Through inheritance and direct descendants, Chateau Laroze remains in the hands of the original founders. Guy Meslin is the current owner and director of the estate.

Chateau Laroze Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 27 hectare Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Laroze is planted to 68% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is in its own way unusual for Saint Emilion. This is because the entire vineyard is in 1 single, very large parcel plot. The vines are on average 20 years of age.

The vineyard of Chateau Laroze is planted to a vine density that varies from 5,600 vines per hectare to 10,000 vines per hectare. Newer plantings are done at 10,000 vines per hectare.

It is the goal of Chateau Laroze to continue to increase the density of plantings in their St. Emilion vineyard over time so that the entire vineyard is planted at 10,000 vines per hectare. Their closest neighbor is Chateau Grand Mayne, whose vines they abut.

The terroir of Chateau Laroze is sand with chalk and clay sub-soils. Chateau Laroze had been practicing Biodynamic farming from 1991 to 1998, making Larize the first vineyard in Saint Emilion to do so. In time, Chateau Laroze moved to organic farming instead, finding the approach was better suited to the Chateau Laroze vineyards.

This means they do not use any herbicides or chemical fertilizers of any kind because they want to create a self-sustaining vineyard.

The goal of the property is to create healthier soils that would be better for the long-term health of the vines. In 2002, they completed a new drainage system in their vineyards, which meshes perfectly with their organic approach.

To produce the wine of Chateau Laroze, the berries are vinified in a combination of cement vats and stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for 18 months. During that period, the wine is aged on its lees for between 12 and 14 months depending on the vintage.

There is a second wine, Lafleur Laroze, and starting in 2001, a third wine, Lady Laroze. On average, close to 9,000 cases of their Saint Emilion wine are produced every vintage.

When to Drink Chateau Laroze, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Laroze needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or more. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Laroze is usually better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Laroze offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-14 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Laroze with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Laroze is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Laroze is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Laroze is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Things are continuing to improve at Chateau Laroze since they hired Hubert de Bouard, the owner of Chateau Angelus as their consultant in 2009. It’s an estate to watch.

www.laroze.com

Château Laroze Wine Tasting Notes

14 Vintages 51,109 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
93
Savory herbs, tobacco and ripe, black plums shine in the perfume, and on the plush, creamy, silky palate. The wine is fresh, elegant, vibrant, spicy, and creamy, leaving you with sweet plums, chocolate, and cherries. Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts.

Savory herbs, tobacco and ripe, black plums shine in the perfume, and on the plush, creamy, silky palate. The wine is fresh, elegant, vibrant, spicy, and creamy, leaving you with sweet plums, chocolate, and cherries. Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts.

2,148 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Flowers, espresso, licorice, cocoa and black cherries pop into the perfume. The palate is medium-bodied, creamy fresh and sweet, with energetic red fruits and chocolate in the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

Flowers, espresso, licorice, cocoa and black cherries pop into the perfume. The palate is medium-bodied, creamy fresh and sweet, with energetic red fruits and chocolate in the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

126 Views   Tasted
Flowers, espresso, cocoa, red berries and licorice are in the nose and on the palate of this forward, medium-bodied, ready-to-go, soft, fresh, floral wine. Drink from 2023-2035. 89-91

Flowers, espresso, cocoa, red berries and licorice are in the nose and on the palate of this forward, medium-bodied, ready-to-go, soft, fresh, floral wine. Drink from 2023-2035. 89-91

1,400 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Plums, spicy black raspberries and flowers fill the nose. Medium-bodied, silky, long and fresh, with an elegant, dark plum and spicy chocolate finish that lingers. I really like the energy, sweetness and length in this vintage. 92-94 Pts

Plums, spicy black raspberries and flowers fill the nose. Medium-bodied, silky, long and fresh, with an elegant, dark plum and spicy chocolate finish that lingers. I really like the energy, sweetness and length in this vintage. 92-94 Pts

2,713 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Dark red fruits, licorice, savory herbs and wet earth and forest scents combine to create a complex perfume. On the palate the wine, with its creamy textured palate offers layers of ripe, black cherries, smoke, dark plums and cocoa. There is a nice touch of mint, along with all the ripe fruits in the endnote that really hits the spot. Drink from 2023-2035.

Dark red fruits, licorice, savory herbs and wet earth and forest scents combine to create a complex perfume. On the palate the wine, with its creamy textured palate offers layers of ripe, black cherries, smoke, dark plums and cocoa. There is a nice touch of mint, along with all the ripe fruits in the endnote that really hits the spot. Drink from 2023-2035.

1,423 Views   Tasted
Aromatics of licorice and smoke, with fresh, ripe, dark red fruits permeate the wine. Medium-bodied, silky and fresh with an olive, herb and spicy, cocoa and red berry finish is what you find here. 89-91 Pts

Aromatics of licorice and smoke, with fresh, ripe, dark red fruits permeate the wine. Medium-bodied, silky and fresh with an olive, herb and spicy, cocoa and red berry finish is what you find here. 89-91 Pts

2,404 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Floral and fresh, the black raspberries, spice and plums already show really well today. Medium-bodied, soft, polished and silky, the wine tastes and feels great. There is good freshness and energy here.

Floral and fresh, the black raspberries, spice and plums already show really well today. Medium-bodied, soft, polished and silky, the wine tastes and feels great. There is good freshness and energy here.

2,307 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, elegant, soft and fresh, this wine shows ripe, black cherry, plum and cocoa on the nose, palate and finish. Just a few years of age and this will be even better. 90-92 Pts

Medium-bodied, elegant, soft and fresh, this wine shows ripe, black cherry, plum and cocoa on the nose, palate and finish. Just a few years of age and this will be even better. 90-92 Pts

2,191 Views   Tasted
2016
90
With licorice, cherries and coffee bean, the wine gets started. Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and silky, this should be available for nice drinking early, but it is going to be even better with 2-3 years of age.

With licorice, cherries and coffee bean, the wine gets started. Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and silky, this should be available for nice drinking early, but it is going to be even better with 2-3 years of age.

2,050 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied with soft, sweet, fiery red fruits and hints of licorice and spice, this should drink well early.

Medium bodied with soft, sweet, fiery red fruits and hints of licorice and spice, this should drink well early.

2,510 Views   Tasted
2015
89
Medium bodied, soft, forward and open, with dusty tannins and a red berry, herb, oak, tinged finish.

Medium bodied, soft, forward and open, with dusty tannins and a red berry, herb, oak, tinged finish.

4,513 Views   Tasted
Kicking off with espresso, licorice, smoke and plums, this wine is medium bodied, soft, spicy and easy to drink.

Kicking off with espresso, licorice, smoke and plums, this wine is medium bodied, soft, spicy and easy to drink.

2,204 Views   Tasted
2014
88
With a touch of oak, caramel and dark cherries, this wine is soft, plush, polished and easy to drink. 88-89 Pts

With a touch of oak, caramel and dark cherries, this wine is soft, plush, polished and easy to drink. 88-89 Pts

2,051 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Oak, licorice, spice and plum aromas deliver a medium bodied-wine that finishes with dusty cherries. 86-88 Pts

Oak, licorice, spice and plum aromas deliver a medium bodied-wine that finishes with dusty cherries. 86-88 Pts

2,741 Views   Tasted
2012
86
Light style of wine, with a bright, red fruit and herbal character or early drinking consumption.

Light style of wine, with a bright, red fruit and herbal character or early drinking consumption.

1,772 Views   Tasted
A lighter style of St. Emilion, produced from a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the early drinking charmer is all about its soft, licorice, cocoa, red berry and espresso character. This is not a wine for aging.

A lighter style of St. Emilion, produced from a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the early drinking charmer is all about its soft, licorice, cocoa, red berry and espresso character. This is not a wine for aging.

1,605 Views   Tasted
Bright red fruits and oak, this medium-bodied wine has a touch of dryness to the tannins in the finish. 84-86 Pts

Bright red fruits and oak, this medium-bodied wine has a touch of dryness to the tannins in the finish. 84-86 Pts

2,126 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Light in color and style, this easy drinking wine offers herbs, cherries and espresso notes with its medium bodied character.

Light in color and style, this easy drinking wine offers herbs, cherries and espresso notes with its medium bodied character.

1,946 Views   Tasted
A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this deep-colored, medium-bodied wine is earthy with black cherry and a red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this deep-colored, medium-bodied wine is earthy with black cherry and a red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

1,938 Views   Tasted
2009
87
Soft, round and easy to enjoy, this medium bodied, earthy, black cherry infused wine is best enjoyed on the young side.

Soft, round and easy to enjoy, this medium bodied, earthy, black cherry infused wine is best enjoyed on the young side.

4,589 Views   Tasted
2008
86
Medium bodied, and relatively simple, the wine is on the fresh, cherry side, with light licorice accents. This should probably be consumed over the next few years.

Medium bodied, and relatively simple, the wine is on the fresh, cherry side, with light licorice accents. This should probably be consumed over the next few years.

3,330 Views   Tasted
2005
88
Cherries, black plums and vanilla, with a hint of fennel, medium body in a pleasant, round, easy to like style. The wine is already drinking well and should probably be consumed by the time it hits its 10th birthday.

Cherries, black plums and vanilla, with a hint of fennel, medium body in a pleasant, round, easy to like style. The wine is already drinking well and should probably be consumed by the time it hits its 10th birthday.

3,022 Views   Tasted