{"product_id":"chateau-laroque-saint-emilion-grand-cru-classe-2017","title":"Chateau Laroque Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003eChâteau Laroque Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2017 is a poised, classically styled Right Bank Bordeaux that showcases the elegance and depth of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. From one of Saint-Émilion’s historic limestone plateaus, this wine delivers refined structure, bright energy, and beautifully sculpted fruit. The 2017 vintage at Laroque stands out for its precision and freshness, offering a more approachable expression of this traditionally ageworthy estate wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2017 Château Laroque shows a deep, vibrant ruby color with a subtle garnet rim, signaling both concentration and early evolution. The nose opens with pure red and black fruit—think ripe cherries, blackberries, and plums—layered with violet, graphite, and a touch of crushed stone, followed by hints of cedar, cocoa, and a gentle sweet spice from well-integrated oak.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a supple, velvety texture framed by fine-grained tannins and a lively line of acidity. Flavors of black cherry, wild raspberry, and crunchy cassis unfold into notes of tobacco leaf, licorice, and a faint saline-mineral edge that speaks clearly of Saint-Émilion limestone. The finish is long and elegant, more about finesse than power, making the 2017 particularly enjoyable in its youth while still possessing 8–12 years of aging potential under proper cellaring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Laroque’s vineyards are anchored on the high limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, a prized terroir that imparts lift, freshness, and a distinct mineral backbone to the wines. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines, many of them old and deeply rooted, are tended with careful plot-by-plot management to capture the nuances of each parcel. Harvesting is carried out at optimal ripeness, often by hand, to ensure only the healthiest, most balanced grapes reach the cellar. Vinification combines modern precision with traditional Bordeaux know-how: gentle extraction, temperature-controlled fermentations, and élevage in French oak barrels (a proportion new) to refine texture and complexity without overwhelming the purity of the fruit or the expression of the limestone soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé is a natural partner for classic French cuisine and refined comfort dishes alike. Pair it with roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, duck breast, or veal in mushroom sauces; it also shines alongside truffle dishes, game birds, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both its fruit and structure. For optimal expression, decant 30–60 minutes before serving in its youth; older bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant simply to remove sediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Laroque traces its origins back several centuries and is one of the historic estates of Saint-Émilion, with its grand architecture and commanding position on the limestone plateau. Long recognized for its exceptional terroir, the property has seen a qualitative renaissance in recent decades, earning renewed critical acclaim and solidifying its standing as a benchmark Grand Cru Classé of the appellation. By combining meticulous vineyard work, a sensitive, terroir-driven approach in the cellar, and a focus on Merlot and Cabernet Franc that truly reflect the Right Bank’s strengths, Château Laroque has become a reference point for elegant, ageworthy Saint-Émilion at consistently impressive value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Laroque","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54426645627217,"sku":"XW-24415","price":51.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/chateau-laroque-saint-emilion-grand-cru-classe-2017_24415_1.jpg?v=1785226370","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/chateau-laroque-saint-emilion-grand-cru-classe-2017","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}