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

The wine continues to express its terroir with power and eloquence, thanks to a refined extraction process that lends it textural qualities of rare distinction. It is more supple but no less impressive than the best wines of its appellation. It offers unparalleled value for the price at this level.

The Château’s vast 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 Premiers—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 both more rigorous and inspired. By its very nature, it very rarely dries out during long aging, and fifty-year-old bottles such as the 1962 or the 1961 continue to impress just as much.

Impressive from the very first sip, this wine displays excellent balance on the palate, offering freshness and liveliness, as well as depth and fullness. Lovely notes of bitterness and salty stones mingle with hints of ripe blackcurrant and juicy plum. The power is unmistakable, yet it is concealed beneath a silky texture that tempers it and lends the wine absolute richness and charm. An excellent Gruaud with an alcohol content of 13.5% ABV. 2030–2050

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; they later 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 acquired in 1997 by the family-owned Taillan Group (Merlaut), which today manages a vast vineyard of 82 hectares, almost all in a single block.

 

Ideally located, 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 more recent vintages offer greater precision in their aromas. The Merlaut family has optimized the technical facilities that the Alcatel group, the vineyard’s short-lived owner, had installed. They have also chosen to give Gruaud Larose wines a more indulgent and rich profile, making them enjoyable even in their youth. The most 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, a fact we welcome.

The 2022 Château Gruaud Larose is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also includes 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with 95% aged in new barrels. This 2022 vintage, with its inky color, offers a striking nose of crème de cassis, pencil shavings, liquid violet, and a lovely minerality reminiscent of crushed stone. This powerful, full-bodied Gruaud Larose delivers great depth on the mid-palate, fine, polished tannins, and an exceptional finish. It’s best to let it age in the back of the cellar for a decade if possible, but it should have an incredibly long shelf life. I think it’s as good as the 2018 and ranks among this estate’s absolute classics. 2035–2075

The bouquet of Gruaud Larose sets the tone right from the start—directly, with confidence, serenity, and great tact. This wine has never sought to dazzle, but it delights in asserting its ambitions in a clear and crystalline manner. Aging is what makes this wine so precious—it supports all the aromatic elements present by enveloping them and bringing them to the forefront. Everything is coherent; nothing stands out, yet everything is dedicated to opening up horizons of dreams, pleasure, and Epicurean delight! Such depth, delicacy, and harmony. And let me remind you that I’m only describing the bouquet for now… On the palate, the wine has the great merit of perfectly fulfilling all the promises of the bouquet. It is deep, linear, subtle, and supported by perfectly integrated tannins that not only provide extraordinary structure but also complement the wine’s incisive character—which is, moreover, mouthwatering. This wine is not only one of Gruaud-Larose’s greatest successes; it belongs in the Bordeaux 2022 Hall of Fame. An exceptional wine that is only at the very beginning of its journey. It will continue to impress over the years; as for me, it has already won me over today. 2028–2057

Black in color, with purplish-red highlights. A very aromatic nose—delicately fruity, pure, subtle, ripe, fresh, and floral. Meticulously crafted on the palate from the very first sip, the wine unfolds with intense aromatics on the mid-palate, displaying a soft, velvety grace unique to this appellation. It reminds me of the 1947. The wine melts on the palate, while regaining its vigor on the finish—long, succulent, and captivating. First certified organic vintage. To celebrate, the estate has subtly modified its label: two storks replace the two lions surrounding the coat of arms. Collectors, take note!