Laroque

Vines were first planted on the Chateau Laroque estate in the 1700s by the Marquis de Rochefort-Lavie. The vineyards stretch across the clay-limestone plateau and now cover 61 hectares, after being replanted by the Beaumartin family in the 1960s, making Laroque one of the largest estates in Saint Emilion. Upon the installation of David Suire at the Chateau, a soil study was undertaken that has revealed various climats across the estate, enabling the most appropriate grape varieties to be planted in the best areas. 27 hectares of the estate’s vines are reserved exclusively for the Grand Vin, with the rest of the grapes used in the production for their second wine, Les Tours de Laroque, as well as a wine under the label Chateau Peymouton. The vines have an average age of 40 years, however there is almost 14 hectares on the estate where the vines reach 55 years old.

Based in Saint Emilion – a UNSECO World Heritage Site – Chateau Laroque was rated as a Grand Cru Classe estate in 1996, yet is equally as well known for its imposing 18^th Century Chateau. The Grand Vin’s blend is predominantly Merlot based It is vinified in cement vats before being aged in French oak barrels (around 50% new) for one year. Up to 11,000 cases of the Grand Vin is made annually, far surpassing the 5,000 cases produced of Chateau Peymouton.