Château Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien 2022 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

The wine continues to express its terroir with strength and eloquence, thanks to refined extraction, giving it a rare distinction on the palate. More supple but no less impressive than the best wines in its appellation. Unique value for money at this level.

About the estate:

The Château's vast vineyard is located on one of the most sumptuous and homogeneous plateaus of deep gravel in the entire Médoc region. It has belonged to the Merlaut family since 1997. Few Médoc wines, even among the Premiers Crus, can boast such a homogeneous terroir, despite its size, as Gruaud-Larose. One might imagine that 80% of the vines produce the grand vin, but here the selection process is even more rigorous, which is particularly evident in the grand vin, ideally full-bodied and harmonious, and even more precise over the last three years thanks to a new, female generation of vineyard managers and cellar masters who are more rigorous and inspired. By nature, it very rarely dries out with long aging, and fifty-year-old bottles such as the 1962 or 1961 are still as impressive as ever.

Decanter

About wine:

Convincing from the first sip, this wine has excellent balance on the palate, offering freshness and liveliness, as well as depth and fullness. Attractive notes of bitterness and salted stones mingle with notes of ripe blackcurrant and juicy plum. The power is unmistakable, but it is hidden beneath a silky structure that tempers it and gives it absolute richness and charm. An excellent Gruaud with an alcohol content of 13.5%. 2030-2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Created 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 built the neoclassical château. In 1812, the Balguerie and Sarget families bought the property, then split, giving rise to Gruaud Larose-Bethmann and Gruaud Larose-Sarget. The estates were reunited in 1934 thanks to Désiré Cordier. Sold in 1983 to institutional investors, Gruaud Larose was bought back in 1997 by the Taillan family group (Merlaut), which now owns a vast vineyard of 82 hectares, almost all in one piece.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

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

About the estate:

The vineyard is very well located on a plateau of deep gravel with perfect homogeneity 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 animalistic character, the cru now offers recent vintages with more precise aromas. The Merlaut family has optimized the technical facilities that the Alcatel group, the vineyard's short-lived owner, had installed. It has also chosen to give Gruaud Larose wines a more delicious and indulgent profile, making them accessible in their youth. The latest vintages show progress in this direction, with wines that have also gained in precision. The pricing policy advocated by Jean Merlaut makes Gruaud a brand that is always accessible, which we welcome.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

Château Gruaud Larose 2022 is mainly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also includes 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 95% of which is aged in new barrels. This 2022 vintage, with its ink-black color, has a striking nose of crème de cassis, pencil shavings, liquid violet, and a beautiful minerality reminiscent of crushed stone. This powerful, full-bodied Gruaud Larose offers beautiful depth on the mid-palate, fine, polished tannins, and an exceptional finish. It is best to keep it in the cellar for a decade if possible, but it should have an incredibly long shelf life. I think it is as good as the 2018 and is one of the absolute classics from this estate. 2035-2075

Yves Beck

About wine:

The bouquet of Gruaud Larose sets the tone right from the start, with confidence, serenity, and great tact. This wine has never sought to dazzle, but it likes to consolidate its ambitions in a clear and limpid manner. The aging process does what it does best, supporting all the olfactory elements present by wrapping them up and placing them center stage. Everything is coherent, nothing stands out, but everything is dedicated to opening up perspectives dedicated to dreams, pleasure, and Epicure! Such depth, delicacy, and harmony. And I should point out that I am only describing the bouquet for now... On the palate, the wine has the great merit of perfectly assimilating all the promises of the bouquet. It is deep, linear, subtle and supported by perfectly integrated tannins that not only provide an extraordinary foundation, but also go hand in hand with the incisive side of the structure, which is also mouthwatering. This wine is not only one of Gruaud-Larose's greatest successes, it is also part of the Bordeaux 2022 Hall of Fame. An exceptional wine that is only at the very beginning of its journey. It will win you over over the years; for my part, it has already done so today. 2028-2057

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Black in color with purple-red highlights. Very aromatic nose, delicately fruity, pure, subtle, ripe, fresh, and floral. Meticulous texture on entry, the wine develops very aromatically in the middle, with a soft and mellow grace unique to this appellation. It reminds me of the 1947. The wine melts on the palate, while bouncing back on the finish, which is long, sappy and captivating. First certified organic vintage. To celebrate, the estate has subtly modified its label: two storks replace the two lions around the coat of arms. Collectors take note!