Les Tours de Laroque 2016 (750ML)

92 Points, Zachys Buying Team: "How good is this little gem! The medium bodied wine consists of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc from vines more than 50 years old. Like the sibling Grand Vin of the Laroque, this is an overachieving value wine that we were looking for and is a tremendous example of how Bordeaux may be home to some of greatest, and most cost prohibitive wines in the world, but also some of the greatest values. Where else are you going to find a wine with this kind of pedigree - we are talking about a Grand Cru Classé winemaking estate with a history dating back to the 12th century, beautifully positioned on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion and produced by the hands of David Suire and Nicolas Thienpont (Larcis Ducasse, Pavie Macquin). And that is what this wine is all about. like the Laroque you feel that rock in the wine, and the wine screams freshness and vibrancy. The wine weighs in at 14.5% alcohol and is incredibly light on its feet. This is pure and juicy Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc with inviting nuances of red and black fruits, and you can expect to find black cherries, wild berries, plum, with a touch of herbs. The limestone minerality speaks through the generous layer of fruit that develops a creamy texture with time in the glass. Hard to believe this is $18.99. This a near-perfect value wine that will please today and over the next five years. In a word, yum."

91 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "From 20% of the production, the 2016 Les Tours de Laroque is a beautifully elegant, silky second wine that has terrific cassis and black raspberries fruits, subtle tobacco and earthy mineral notes as well as a hint of spring flowers. Elegant, medium-bodied, seamless and incredibly silky, it will keep for a decade or more. " 02/19