Moulin Haut Laroque
Tasting notes
At harvesting time, Jean-Noël Hervé was optimistic: the sun shone continuously, while a cold wind blew across his vines, allowing him to wait for perfect maturity. He went through this remarkable harvest with kid gloves, removing any grape which was not perfect. ‘This grape quality led to great purity at the maceration stage,’ he says. And indeed, the wine is wonderful, pure, delicate, and luscious in the mouth, with an ethereal, intensely fruity, fresh finish. A work of art!
Press review
Bettane & Desseauve Carnet # 20 : 8/10
Belle cuvée au corps impressionnant d'ampleur et de maturité de fruit. Avec des tanins suaves, l'ensemble ne manque ni de fraîcheur ni de longueur.
Decanter # 28-9 : Highly recommended Maturity: 2006-2012
Good colour, slightly confit dark fruits with a spicy aromatic lift (there's a little Malbec in the blend), sweetish attack, good density and length with that spicy note again on the finish. Highly recommended.
Gault Millau # Guide 2004 : 87-88
Jean-Marc Quarin # 39 : 15,5/20
Le Point, Guide Jacques Dupont # 1600 : 15,5/20
Beau nez confituré, boisé toasté, poivré. La bouche ne manque pas d'élégance, avec un fruit bien exposé, la finale, tannique, se resserre sur un tanin au grain dense.
Stephen Tanzer # May/Jun 03 : 86-89
Bright medium red. Superripe aromas of black cherry and licorice. Sweet, lush and pliant, with spicy black fruit flavors. Finishes with ripe tannins and good length.
Vinum # Mai 2005 : 17
The property in brief
Jean-Noël Hervé has done much for the glory of Fronsac thanks to the exemplary consistency of his Château Moulin Haut Laroque. One-third of the vines is more than 45 years old, which explains in part the particular finesse of this cru. Jean-Noël Hervé seeks – and finds – concentration, matière and fabulous harmony from Merlot which has been harvested “ripe-but-not-too-much”, as he likes to say, because he’s not a fan of over-maturity. The matière is sublime, complex, even in difficult vintages. A great wine.
Owner: Jean-Noël Hervé
Manager: Dominique Hervé
Cellar master: Jean-Noël Hervé
Oenologist: Michel Rolland & C.Veyry
Blend of the 2002 vintage: 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 65% Merlot
Ageing: 40% in new barrels
Soil: Clay-limestone on very sloping coasts.
Area: 15 hectares
Average age of the vines: 45 years
Yield: 28 hectolitres per hectare
Price: from €N/A to €N/A
Vintage: 2002
Chateau: Moulin Haut Laroque
Color: Red
