Sarget de Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien 2021 - Second Vin
93/100
Yves Beck
92/100
Vert de Vin
16,5/20
Jancis Robinson
89-91/100
Vinous
89/100
Decanter
"Given the conditions of the vintage, it deserves high praise, as its quality is not far off that of a Grand Vin! ~ Vinous"
“Delicious and with a slightly austere texture, yet featuring lovely spicy nuances and a creamy blackcurrant flavor on the mid-palate. It certainly lacks neither depth nor body, while displaying beautiful dynamism from start to finish. The fruit is exceptionally pure; it offers clarity, juiciness, and richness, enhanced by the spices of Petit Verdot, all supported by a firm structure. Great freshness. The suppleness and slightly bitter tannins work wonderfully together and bode well for the future.” (Decanter 2022)
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Eye
A deep, brilliant ruby color with purplish-garnet highlights
Nose
Expressive and elegant, dominated by dark fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), as well as violet, cedar, and sweet spices. A hint of licorice and forest floor adds complexity.
Palate
Supple and well-balanced, with pronounced notes of ripe black fruit. Full-bodied, supported by fine, well-integrated tannins. Lovely freshness, with notes of licorice, cedar, and spices. An elegant, fresh, and lingering finish.
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2025
Drink before
2038
Food and Wine Pairings
Enjoy it with a veal chop, thin-sliced duck, or mushroom risotto...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2020 guide): 4*Stars (Producers of the very highest quality, the pride of French viticulture)
About the estate:
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 nature, it very rarely dries out during long-term aging, and fifty-year-old bottles such as the 1962 or the 1961 continue to impress just as much as ever.
Decanter
Wine rated (2022 guide) 89/100
About the wine:
Delicious and slightly austere in texture, yet with lovely spicy nuances and a creamy blackcurrant flavor on the mid-palate. It certainly lacks neither depth nor body, while displaying beautiful dynamism from start to finish. The fruit is exceptionally pure; it offers clarity, juiciness, and richness, enhanced by the spices of Petit Verdot, all supported by a firm structure. Great freshness. The suppleness and slightly bitter tannins work wonderfully together and bode well for the future. The blend is rounded out with 2% Cabernet Franc. 2024–2039
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2020 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
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 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 entirely in a single block.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker—The Wine Advocate)
About the estate:
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated Estate (2020 Guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, belong in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
Ideally situated, the vineyard occupies a plateau of deep gravel, 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, a short-lived owner, had installed. They have also chosen to give Gruaud Larose wines a more indulgent and rich profile, making them enjoyable even when young. 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 affordable brand, a fact we welcome.
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (2025 guide) 16,5/20
About the wine:
Tasted blind. Notes of tea leaves, spices, and a touch of mystery. Lots of fruit and a hint of full maturity. 2028–2034
Vinous
Wine rated (2022 guide) 89-91/100
About the wine:
Sarget de Gruaud Larose 2021 was aged in oak barrels (15% of which were new) for 15 months. It displays lovely liveliness and remarkable precision on the nose, with aromas of blackberry and wild berries. The palate is supple on the attack and well-balanced, revealing a hint of black pepper as well as a slight tannic grip on the finish. Given the conditions of the vintage, this second wine deserves every bit of praise. Frankly, its quality is not that far removed from that of the Grand Vin. (12.76% alcohol) 2025–2038
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2023 guide) 93/100
About the wine:
Sarget reveals itself in a precise, subtle way, through spicy and fruity nuances complemented by a hint of licorice. On the palate, the wine presents itself with serenity. It has breadth and is well supported by velvety tannins that offer measured power. One might wish for a bit more aromatic expression in the mid-palate and on the finish, but that should come in time given the elements already present. Cellaring will help it reach its full potential. 2026–2041
Vert de Vin
Wine rated (2022 guide) 92/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)
About the wine:
The nose is fruity and offers moderate intensity, elegant minerality, a fine texture, subtle power, and a slightly captivating, velvety quality. It features notes of juicy blackcurrant, fresh and juicy wild blackberry, and, to a lesser extent, fleshy raspberry, combined with hints of violet, elegant minerality, a subtle hint of licorice, fresh blond tobacco, and a subtle touch of vanilla. On the palate, it is fruity, fresh, and mineral, offering smoothness, harmony, a lovely mineral structure, and pure fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of plump, juicy raspberries, juicy cherries, and, to a lesser extent, plump, fresh blackcurrants, combined with hints of violet, lily, and elegant, iodine-tinged minerality, as well as subtle hints of vibrant blue plums, cubeb pepper, toasted notes, and vanilla. The tannins are supple, fresh, and smooth.