2013 CH GRUAUD LAROSE 2ÈME CRU ST JULIEN - 6x150cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2014,
  Score: 87-89

  The ease and simplicity with which this wine shows its generous blackcurrant and chocolate, spiced flavours is very charming. It’s not a blockbuster, but is complete and has a medium length on the finish.

• 

  Neal Martin, October 2016,
  Score: 86

  The 2013 Gruaud Larose feels a little smudged on the nose compared to others - more red fruit than black, light floral tones but it needs more detail. The palate is better with slightly dry tannin, moderate weight in the mouth and a pinch of spice, though it comes across as an easy-drinking Gruaud best consumed within the first 10 years of its life

• 

  Neal Martin, April 2014,
  Score: 86-88

  The Grand Vin is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked on 3 and 8 October cropped at 27hl/ha. It has a crisp blackcurrant and fresh strawberries, with an almost pastille quality with no signs of any pyrazines. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins, noticeable acidity that lends the finish freshness, although it feels a little abrupt. Just 4,000 cases produced - one-third of last year. This will be an early-drinking Gruaud-Larose.

• 

  Decanter, April 2014,
  Score: 89

  Lovely lifted Cabernet fruit aromas. Elegant, attractive wine with floral hints. Polished. Drink: 2017-2027

• 

  Matthew Jukes, April 2014,
  Score: 17+

  Pretty lively attack on the nose - interesting stats to say the least. I wondered if the wine would be too slim and too oaky but the Cabernet fruit has sucked up the oak and in spite of a dry, tannic palate this wine seems to be showing signs of decent balance. There is a hint of sweetness in the core and everything should fall into line in time.

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2014,
  Score: 16

  Strong liquorice scent, black cherry fruit, light body and medium tannins. Very much a middle-of-the-road bordeaux, with a little violet fragrance on the finish. (RH)

• 

  Tim Atkin, May 2014,
  Score: 92

  Unusually for Gruaud-Larose, this has seen only new oak. But it definitely has the presence and concentration to soak up the splinters, showing flavours of liquorice, cedarwood, orange peel and smooth black fruits. A deftly handled blend. 2018-26

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Producer

Château Gruaud Larose

Gruaud Larose is one of the most dispersed châteaux. The estate is almost like a hamlet unto itself, with stone building after stone building all decorating the property like life-sized Monopoly board pieces. Reviewing its family history, it is easy to understand why. For many years it had been shuffled from one owner to the next, subsequently divided, pieced back together only to be divided again. After all these divisions and transformations, the estate stands today at 150 hectares, 82 of which are planted with vines. Its current owners, the Merlaut family, purchased the château in 1997. Their other holdings include Chasse Spleen, La Gurgue, Haut Bages Libéral, Citran and Ferrière. Considerable financial investment has contributed to the château's new found dynamism. Not only is it one of the more self-sufficient châteaux in Bordeaux, it is also one of the most natural. Practicing organic techniques, they create their own compost from the remnant stalks, skins and seeds and were the first château to recycle their own water.