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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

The wine continues to express its terroir with power and elegance, thanks to a refined extraction process that lends it a texture of rare distinction. More supple yet no less impressive than the best wines of its appellation. Unparalleled value for money at this level.

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, more feminine generation of vineyard managers and cellar masters who are both more rigorous and inspired. By nature, it very rarely dries out during long aging, and fifty-year-old bottles like the 1962 or the 1961 are still just as impressive.

Decanter

About the wine:

Impressive from the very first sip, this wine displays excellent balance on the palate, offering freshness and liveliness, as well as depth and richness. 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

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; they later split, 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 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, 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 accessible while young. Recent vintages demonstrate 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.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Château Gruaud Larose 2022 is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also includes 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 95% of which was aged in new oak 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 beautiful depth on the mid-palate, fine, polished tannins, and an exceptional finish. It is best to keep it deep in the cellar for a decade if possible, but it should have an incredibly long lifespan. I think it is as good as the 2018 and ranks among the estate’s absolute classics. 2035–2075

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of Gruaud Larose sets the tone right from the start—directly, confidently, serenely, and with great finesse. This wine has never sought to dazzle, but it loves to assert its ambitions in a clear and unambiguous way. The aging process does what makes it precious: it supports all the olfactory elements present by wrapping them up and placing them center stage. Everything is coherent; nothing stands out, yet everything is dedicated to opening up perspectives devoted to dreams, pleasure, and Epicurus! Such depth, delicacy, and harmony. And let me remind you that I am describing only 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 an extraordinary foundation but also complement the incisive side of the structure, which is, moreover, mouth-watering. This wine is not only one of Gruaud-Larose’s greatest successes; it belongs in the Bordeaux Hall of Fame for 2022. An exceptional wine that is only at the very beginning of its journey. It will win you over over the years; as for me, it has already done so today. 2028–2057

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Deep black in color, with purple-red highlights. The nose is highly aromatic, with delicate fruit notes—pure, subtle, ripe, fresh, and floral. The texture is refined from the very first sip; the wine unfolds with intense aromas on the palate, displaying a soft, velvety grace unique to this appellation. It reminds me of the 1947 vintage. The wine melts on the palate, while springing back to life on the finish—long, sap-filled, 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!