Winery: Château Gruaud-Larose

Country / Region: France / Bordeaux

Alcohol / Volume: 12.5% / 750ml

Ratings: 94 pts. Inside Bordeaux

Good to know: Château Gruaud Larose is a wine estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Médoc, ranked as a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. It is widely regarded as a classic Saint-Julien wine, and is known for its sensible pricing.

The property was formed from three merged estates in 1757 by Joseph Gruaud. He left the property to a Monsieur de Larose in 1771. From 1865, the property was split into separate estates as a result of inheritance, but was reunited in 1935. It was bought by the current owners, the Merlaut family, in 1997. Their Groupe Taillan owns numerous other Bordeaux properties, including Haut-Bages Libéral in Pauillac, Chasse-Spleen in Moulis, and a share in Osoyoos Larose in Canada.

Château Gruaud Larose 1998 is a classic, deeply characterful Second Growth expression hailing from the deep quaternary gravel mounds over clay subsoils in the historic Saint-Julien appellation. Crafted during a vintage renowned for traditional Médoc structure and longevity, it is built around a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (around 57%) and Merlot (around 30%), seasoned with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, matured for roughly 18 months in French oak barrels (approximately 50% new). The nose is fully mature, aristocratic, and richly layered with tertiary complexity, revealing scents of dried blackcurrants, stewed plums, and dried fig laced with cigar box cedar, worn saddle leather, graphite, smoked game, forest floor, and damp autumn leaves. On the palate, it delivers textbook Saint-Julien balance and old-school pedigree, displaying a medium-bodied core of savory dark fruit framed by melted, fine-grained tannins and brisk Left Bank acidity, gliding effortlessly into an expansive, earthy, and cedar-spiced finish of impressive staying power.