JAMES SUCKLING: "A tight and focused red with blueberry, stone and blackberry character. Medium body, lovely energy and fine tannins. Ends ever so precisely on the palate. 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Barrel Sample. Rich and fruity, this wine has ripe tannins and already delicious black fruits. The structure is there, embedded in the juicy blackberry flavors. Drink from 2023."

ROBERT PARKER - THE WINE ADVOCATE: "45% of the crop, which comes mostly from limestone soils, went into this grand vin, which is composed of 99% Merlot with 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple, the 2017 Laroque simply sings of crushed blueberries, black cherries and black raspberries with touches of lilacs, Indian spices, unsmoked cigars, iron ore and espresso. Medium to full-bodied with wonderful concentration, firm, very finely pixelated tannins and superb freshness lifting the densely packed fruit, it has very long mineral-laced finish."