Sarget de Gruaud Larose 2016 - Second Vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Château’s extensive vineyard is situated on one of the most magnificent and uniform plateaus of deep gravel in the entire Médoc. It has been owned by the Merlaut family since 1997. Few Médoc wines, even among the First Growths, can boast a terroir as uniform as Gruaud-Larose’s, despite its size. One might imagine that 80% of the vines produce the grand vin, but here the selection process is even more rigorous, a fact that is particularly evident in the grand vin, which is ideally full-bodied and harmonious, and has become even more precise over the past three years thanks to a new, feminine generation of vineyard managers and cellar masters who are more rigorous and inspired. By nature, it rarely dries out during long aging, and fifty-year-old bottles like the 1962 or the 1961 are still just as impressive.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Founded in the early 18th century by the Gruaud family, the estate passed into the hands of the Larose family in 1771, who added their name and commissioned the construction of the neoclassical château. In 1812, the Balguerie and Sarget families purchased the property, but later parted ways, giving rise to Gruaud Larose-Bethmann and Gruaud Larose-Sarget. The estate was reunited in 1934, thanks to Désiré Cordier. Sold in 1983 to institutional investors, Gruaud Larose was acquired in 1997 by the family-owned Taillan Group (Merlaut), which today manages a vast vineyard of 82 hectares, almost entirely in a single block.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2016 Sarget de Gruaud Larose is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot, with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, bottled in May 2018. Medium to deep garnet in color, it offers expressive notes of red currant and blackberry compote with hints of blackcurrant, unsmoked cigars, dried herbs, and rosehip tea. Medium-bodied, smooth, very fresh, and with an exhilarating liveliness, it has plenty of mineral sparkle on the finish.

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Ideally situated, the vineyard occupies a plateau of deep gravel soil, perfectly uniform in composition, in the southern part of the commune of Saint-Julien, where the vines thrive remarkably well. Known for producing powerful wines in the 1980s and 1990s, often with a slightly animal-like character, the estate’s recent vintages offer more precise aromas. The Merlaut family has optimized the technical facilities that the Alcatel group, a short-lived owner, had installed. They have also chosen to give Gruaud Larose wines a more indulgent and rich profile, making them accessible while young. Recent vintages show progress in this direction, with wines that have also gained in precision. The pricing policy championed by Jean Merlaut ensures that Gruaud remains an accessible brand, which we welcome.

Wine Spectator

James Suckling

About the wine:

Fresh and vibrant, with just a hint of grass and notes of blackcurrant and flowers. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicious finish.