Château Gruaud Larose 2011 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

Delicate and smooth in texture, not very full-bodied but very refined in its tannins and diverse in its bouquet, with a slight characteristic hint of coffee.

About the estate:

The Château's vast vineyard is located on one of the most sumptuous and homogeneous plateaus of deep gravel in the entire Médoc region. It has belonged to the Merlaut family since 1997. Few Médoc wines, even among the Premiers Crus, can boast such a homogeneous terroir, despite its size, as Gruaud-Larose. One might imagine that 80% of the vines produce the grand vin, but here the selection process is even more rigorous, which is particularly evident in the grand vin, ideally full-bodied and harmonious, and even more precise over the last three years thanks to a new, female generation of vineyard managers and cellar masters who are more rigorous and inspired. By nature, it very rarely dries out with long aging, and fifty-year-old bottles such as the 1962 or 1961 are still as impressive as ever.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

In keeping with the appellation and the house style, the 2011 is an intense and elegant wine. On the nose, black and red fruits blend seamlessly with toasted bread, spices, and vanilla. A supple and fresh attack introduces a full-bodied, fleshy, sappy palate, powerful without excess, built on silky, very fine-grained tannins. A racy, very balanced Saint-Julien, built to age well.

About the estate:

Created 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 built the neoclassical château. In 1812, the Balguerie and Sarget families bought the property, then 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 bought back in 1997 by the Taillan family group (Merlaut), which now owns a vast vineyard of 82 hectares, almost all in one piece.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About wine:

Beautiful work, moving in the direction of a racy but very flavorful wine with juicy cherry notes. The tannins are very fine but still need to mellow, as evidenced by the already very subtle finish. Already charming, it promises much enjoyment.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Rich and sophisticated, this 2011 vintage has notes of cedar, blackcurrant, and cherry, and a dark ruby color. With medium body, pleasant and fruity maturity, good purity and depth, without any herbaceous character or harshness, it is precocious, flattering, appealing, and suggests that it will be ready to drink for 10 to 15 years.

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

2011 marks another success for the vintage, which, while retaining its beautiful substance, manages to combine it with the refinement that was sometimes lacking.

About the estate:

The vineyard is very well located on a plateau of deep gravel with perfect homogeneity 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 animalistic character, the cru now offers recent vintages with more precise aromas. The Merlaut family has optimized the technical facilities that the Alcatel group, the vineyard's short-lived owner, had installed. It has also chosen to give Gruaud Larose wines a more delicious and indulgent profile, making them accessible in their youth. The latest vintages show progress in this direction, with wines that have also gained in precision. The pricing policy advocated by Jean Merlaut makes Gruaud a brand that is always accessible, which we welcome.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This is a powerfully oaked wine that currently displays more wood spices than fruit. Structured and powerful but restrained, it will need time to fully express itself.