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

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 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:

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 retaining concentration and intensity. 11% press wine (entirely from Cabernet). pH of 3.71. A yield of 26 hl/ha. 50% grand cru production. 2034–2050

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, 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 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 texture, 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.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

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 hue, composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged 80% 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. It is a divine Saint-Julien that combines the richness of the vintage with undeniable class. Bravo!

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What finesse and depth in this bouquet, where the details take center stage! Hints of graphite and mint set the standard 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 expression and aromatic persistence, while the acid structure underscores the freshness and potential. A wine I’ve tasted several times, with a gradual evolution in its freshness and nuances. I believe it will reach a higher level when ready for release. Today, it offers a snapshot and a glimpse 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

Falstaff