Chateau Gruaud Larose Grand Cru Classe 2014 (375ml)

Description
Château Gruaud-Larose is a prized 2ème Cru Classé estate, which produces some of St-Julien's most full-bodied and supremely long-lived wines. It’s prestigious classification dates from 1855.

The estate’s history dates back to 1725, when the property was called Fond-Bedeau. Two Gruauds administered it; one a priest and the other a magistrate called the Chevalier du Gruaud. The property was subsequently passed to Joseph Sebastian de La Rose, who renamed this property Gruaud-Larose honoring its history.

For many years Gruaud-Larose was owned by the négociants Cordier, owners of the prestigious Château Talbot. It was sold in 1993 to the Alcatel Alsthom, which in turn sold it to the Taillan Group, owners of Chasse-Spleen and Haut-Bages. The acclaimed winemaker Georges Pauli has remained a constant presence.

Gruaud-Larose boasts 84 hectares of vineyards, planted meticulously to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The sublime terroir of Château Gruaud-Larose is located on a gravel-rich plateau just to the west of Château Beychevelle.

The Château produces a sublime second wine, Sarget du Château Gruaud-Larose, Larose de Gruaud or La Roseraie de Gruaud Larose.

Grape Varieties 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot

Rating and reviews

94 points James Suckling
Aromas of strawberries and cherries follow through to a full body, silky tannins and a tangy finish. Fresh and clean. Linear and pretty. Purity of fruit is impressive. Drink in 2020.

92 points - Neal Martin @vinous.com
The 2014 Gruaud Larose has a sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, minerals, raspberry coulis and cedar aromas that waft generously from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, crisp and focused with impressive density in the mouth. It is grippy and assertive; clearly a Saint Julien predesigned for long-term ageing, with a precise finish that bodes well for the future. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2020 - 2045

90 points - Neal Martin @Wine Advocate
The 2014 Gruaud Larose has a light and airy bouquet at first, one that gathers depth with aeration. It is a little conservative at the moment, dusky black fruit mixed with sage and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, slightly angular tannin. It is certainly fresh in the mouth, although it feels a tad pinched towards the finish; therefore, afford this 4-5 years in bottle to develop more substance and ambition. Drink Date 2020-2045