Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France · France
2019 Château Laroque Les Tours de Laroque Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Les Tours de Laroque 2019 — the second wine of Chateau Laroque from a year the Right Bank truly shone, polished and ready now with another five years of good drinking ahead.
- Varietal
- Bordeaux Blend
- Vintage
- 2019
Drinking Window
In 2026: At PeakIn the heart of its drinking window (2025–2031).
Right now: In 2026, the Chateau Laroque Les Tours de Laroque Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 is at peak, sitting comfortably in the middle of its projected window from 2025 through 2031. As the second wine of Chateau Laroque, this is a wine designed for relatively early accessibility — and it delivers exactly that at this stage. Seven years of bottle age have integrated the ripe red and black fruit with the mineral lift and spice that define the 2019 vintage character, and the polished tannins are now fully absorbed into the wine's structure. This is a confident, ready-to-drink Saint-Emilion with no reason to delay and good continued drinking through 2031.
Tasting Note
Ripe red and black fruit define the nose — red cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant — with a mineral lift, spice, and a subtle earthy note that grounds the fruit in the limestone-clay terroir of Saint-Emilion. The palate delivers the supple texture and polished tannins that characterize second-wine Bordeaux from well-managed estates: accessible and immediately enjoyable without sacrificing the structural integrity that allows medium-term cellaring. The mineral lift noted on the nose carries through to the finish, which is clean and of moderate length with a faint graphite thread that adds definition to the final impression.
About Château Laroque
Chateau Laroque is one of the larger estates in Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, farming approximately 60 hectares on the limestone plateau with a Merlot-dominant blend supported by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Les Tours de Laroque is the second wine of the estate, sourced from younger vines and selected vats and vinified with the same methodological rigor as the grand vin. Winemaking at Laroque emphasizes whole-cluster sorting, temperature-controlled fermentation, and aging in a proportion of French oak that allows the wine's fruit expression to remain primary. The second wine is designed to offer the estate's Right Bank terroir character at a shorter cellaring arc.
Food Pairings
Boeuf bourguignon with mushrooms and lardons
The wine's polished tannins and ripe red-and-black fruit structure are built for the richness of a slow-braised beef dish — the mushroom earthiness echoes the mineral lift, and the lardons' fat integrates with the tannins cleanly.
Lamb chops with rosemary and garlic
Lamb's classic Bordeaux affinity is fully expressed here: the wine's mineral lift and polished structure complement the herb preparation, and the chop's bone-char adds savory depth that amplifies the wine's graphite finish.
Camembert with fig jam and walnuts
A ripe, bloomy Camembert's creamy lactic richness and mushroom-ringed character create a complementary pairing with the wine's earthy depth and supple tannins, while fig jam provides a fruit bridge to the red-and-black fruit core.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65F (17-18C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, at peak, decant 20 to 30 minutes. Les Tours de Laroque is a second wine designed for early accessibility, and in 2026 it opens generously and quickly with a brief period of air. The fruit, mineral lift, and spice character all come forward readily — extended decanting is not needed.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
Frequently Asked
Is the 2019 Les Tours de Laroque drinking well in 2026?
Yes, it is in the heart of its projected peak window from 2025 through 2031. Seven years of bottle age have integrated the tannins fully and deepened the fruit and mineral character into a confident, polished expression. Open and enjoy freely, with good continued drinking expected through 2031.
How does the second wine of Laroque compare to the grand vin?
Les Tours de Laroque is sourced from younger vine parcels and selected vats at Chateau Laroque, vinified with the same winemaking approach as the grand vin but designed for earlier accessibility. The peak window for the grand vin is typically five to ten years longer, but Les Tours delivers the estate's Right Bank terroir character at a more immediate drinking stage and a more accessible price point.
How long should I decant this wine?
In 2026, 20 to 30 minutes is appropriate. Les Tours de Laroque is a second wine engineered for early accessibility — it opens generously and quickly with air, and the fruit, mineral lift, and spice character are all forward-facing. Extended decanting of more than an hour is not needed.
What are the best food pairings for this Saint-Emilion second wine?
The wine's polished tannins, ripe red-and-black fruit, and mineral lift pair naturally with moderate-to-high-fat preparations: braised beef, lamb chops with herbs, or a rich cheese board. Avoid overly acidic or very lightly flavored preparations that would be overwhelmed by the wine's body and fruit density.
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