Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
This famous and historic Saint Julien 2nd growth is popular throughout the world. This is a large vineyard of 82 hectare which surrounds the château and has changed little in size since the 1855 classification. The grape varieties are 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Gruaud Larose
A serious, more obviously structured effort than the suave 2019, the 2020 Gruaud Larose opens in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries mingled with subtle hints of burning embers, pencil shavings and violets framed by a deft touch of classy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, powdery tannins and vibrant fruit flavors, it concludes with an impressively penetrating finish. However, it appears likely to require patience. 2030 - 2060
The 2020 Gruaud Larose is emblematic of a cleaner, more precise winemaking compared to a decade ago. The bouquet is quite perfumed and beautifully delineated, maybe not the most complex within the appellation, yet very nicely focused. The palate is precise and minerally on the entry, with more tension than the 2019 perhaps, a little more salinity. A combination of Japanese nori and black pepper enlivens the finish. This may well warrant a higher score in the future. There's still a little way to go before this estate reaches the heights of the 1982 for example, but it's definitely on track.
A lovely softness and texture to this wine with a medium to full body, plenty of fruit and fine velvety tannins. It’s lovely to taste now and will age beautifully. Really seductive. Hard not to drink now but one for the cellar. Best to try after 2025.
The opaque purple-black colored 2020 Gruaud Larose comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries, and fresh black currants, followed by hints of sassafras, dark chocolate, and violets. Medium-bodied, the palate is very tightly coiled at this nascent stage, featuring firm, ripe, grainy tannins, and beautiful freshness to support the bright black berry and floral layers, finishing long and fragrant.
Beautiful depth and character here, with violet flowers on the first nose. Supple but present tannins, there is architecture and a firm core to this wine, something to hold on to as it ages, with the classic elegance of 2020 giving shoulders and tension to the tannins. As it opens you find ruby red fruits, raspberry and loganberry along with pencil lead and smoked earth. The construction is impressive, a clear sign that Gruaud Larose is back up among the greatest estates of St Julien,living up to its 1855 2nd Growth billing. In organic conversion as of 2019, with certification due in 2022 for the vineyard, 95% new oak, 1/3 of production in this wine (following extensive vineyard replantings, so this percentage will rise over the next decade). Virginie Sallette winemaker, Eric Boissenot consultant. Harvest from October 9 to 24.
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Highest percentage yet of Cabernet in the blend. Fruit-driven and structured. Plenty of drive from the word go. Builds on the palate in persistent fashion, the refined tannins giving a long linear flow. Lovely fruit. Delicious now but has ageing potential. (JL)
Drink 2028 – 2045
The 2020 Gruaud Larose was cropped at 31hl/ha with one-third of the production in the Grand Vin, picked 14-29 September. The 13.18% alcohol is lower than recent vintages. It is quite tightly wound on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, iris petal, cedar and marine/seaweed aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins on the entry and modest depth. That marine element translates right to the end with a dash of black pepper on the finish. Tasted at the château. 2026 - 2050
Elegant yet driven with gentle power, nothing going overboard or trying too hard. This takes a beat, then it comes strongly - evident spice and flesh, full of raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant pastille, fennel, hawthorn and liquorice. The tannins build up through the palate and press in on the final moments. Virginie Salette winemaker since 2017. A yield of 32hl/ha. Vinify at around 22-23°C, so an extremely low and slow extraction. Harvest was from September 14 to 29. A big shouldered St-Julien but with a wide nuance of flavours.
Drinking Window 2028 - 2042
The 2020 is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. We have been unable to taste this wine En Primeur this year.