Château Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé BIO (Primeurs)

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.

A fragrant nose, evoking a sensual summer evening, with aromas of jasmine, lavender, violet, peony, and deep, heady blackcurrant, accompanied by tobacco, licorice, and clove. Supple and wonderfully textured—firm yet finely balanced on the palate, with an almost mineral note, while retaining its juiciness for a very long time—strawberry and raspberry, crisp cranberry, with a lingering, energetic finish. What a wine! Silky, with an almost delicate touch, displaying such precision while maintaining concentration and intensity. 11% press wine (entirely from Cabernet). pH of 3.71. A yield of 26 hl/ha. 50% of the production is grand vin. 2034–2050

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.

Aromas of blackcurrant and black raspberry, intertwined with notes of spring flowers, graphite, tobacco leaf, and spicy wood, emanate from the 2025 Château Gruaud Larose, a Saint-Julien with an intense purple color, composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 80% of which was aged in new French oak barrels. This marvel literally took my breath away with its class and purity. Full-bodied on the palate, it offers a complex and graceful texture, magnificent tannins, and a superb finish—all anchored in remarkable balance and great elegance. It has an alcohol content of 13.47% and a pH of 3.71. This is a divine Saint-Julien that combines the richness of the vintage with undeniable class. Bravo!

What finesse and depth in this bouquet, where the details take center stage! The nuances of graphite and mint set a multitude of benchmarks for precision and freshness. Juicy and slightly creamy on the palate, the wine features elegant tannins that provide structure, power, and freshness. These fine-grained tannins have depth and lend a subtle vigor! They support the finish and enhance both the expression and the aromatic persistence, while the acidic structure highlights the freshness and potential. This is a wine I’ve tasted several times, each time noticing a gradual refinement in its freshness and nuances. I believe it will reach an even higher level when tasted at its peak. Today, it offers a snapshot and a glimpse of its potential at a specific moment in time; this moment opens up very promising prospects. A fine achievement to celebrate the estate’s 300th anniversary. 2029–2050