Bordeaux

2018 Château Gruaud Larose

$256.00
Save an extra $6: $1,530.00 for 6 bottles
Le plus beau depuis trente ans ou plus, finesse et harmonie superlatives malgré la démesure du millésime, grain de tannin exceptionnel. Read more
Critic Reviews
Expert Review
97 POINTS
Bettane & Desseauve - My Bettane + Desseauve

Le plus beau depuis trente ans ou plus, finesse et harmonie superlatives malgré la démesure du millésime, grain de tannin exceptionnel.

Expert Review
96 POINTS
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

The 2018 Gruaud Larose is blended of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, with a pH of 3.88 and 14.2% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with bold black cherries, mulberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial scents with hints of menthol, lilacs, licorice and cloves plus wafts of fallen leaves and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied with a taut core of ripe, densely packed, muscular fruit, it has a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Very exotic Gruaud!

Expert Review
95 POINTS
Jean-Marc Quarin - Jean-Marc QUARIN
Expert Review
95 POINTS
James Suckling

This is really generous and rolls off the tongue with ripe and velvety tannins and a fresh undertone. Full-bodied, firm and silky. Extremely long and flavorful. Very complex already.

Expert Review
94 POINTS
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Fleshy, juicy and creamy, this wine is bright, lifted, sweet and crisp. The Cabernet Sauvignon is accompanied by tobacco, cigar box, cedar and blackberries and there is a nice crunch to the earthy red fruits in the finish. Give this time in the cellar -- at least 7-8 years -- and it will come together nicely. This is the best vintage for Gruaud Larose in years! The wine was made from blending 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% alcohol. Picking took place September 20-October 10.

Expert Review
93 POINTS
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

From one of the more inland of the Saint-Julien estates, away from the Gironde estuary, this wine is generous in fruit, with soft tannins and lively acidity. It is finely structured and will age well over the medium-term.

Expert Review
92 POINTS
Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Gruaud Larose was picked from 20 September with the Merlot, finishing on 10 October with the Cabernet Sauvignon, with pumping over every two days and aged for 18 to 24 months in 80% new oak. It has a deep garnet colour. The nose is tightly wound, more so than expected, with blackberry, raspberry, briary and cedar aromas, a crisper Gruaud than I have seen aromatically compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins: blackcurrant, mulberry, cedar, hints of clove developing with time. I appreciate how well the wood has integrated in the last few months. It does not possess the persistence of the 2016 Gruaud Larose, but it is very harmonious and less feral than some vintages have been. Great potential.

Expert Review
90 POINTS
Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2018 Gruaud Larose is inky, jammy and full-bodied. Crème de cassis, blackberry jam, spice, lavender and mint give the 2018 much of its extroverted personality. Gruaud Larose is one of the most extroverted wines on the Left Bank. The richness and elevated ripeness is evident in the 2018. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. For my taste, Gruaud is on the edge of being too much. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

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Technical Attributes
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Tasting Notes

A densely textured and rich wine, this has power and concentration. Smoky tannins show strongly as well as juicy black-currant fruits that are still young. The wine, with its structure, is just starting on a journey to aging. Drink from 2027. Roger Voss Wine Enthusiast 94 Points

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Winemakers Note

Gruaud Larose, the revival of a "Super Second" Since its foundation in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud & Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family, and the Merlaut family. The sprawling 82-hectare vineyard, planted in 1784, envelops the château. This remarkably uniform terroir has remained unchanged since 1855 when the estate earned its prestigious 2nd Grand Cru Classé status. At Gruaud Larose, the vine thrives in harmony with its natural surroundings, guided by the hands of dedicated individuals. Each vine thrives within a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable ecosystem. Consequently, the teams have embraced a comprehensive approach to uphold the essence of this classified growth. This approach encompasses organic farming (with 2022 marking the inaugural certified vintage), an expansive agroforestry initiative, eco-pasturing, technological innovations, and shifts in viticultural practices to enhance the well-being of the workforce. A pivotal moment occurred in 2018 when Virginie Sallette assumed the role of Technical Director. In addition to scrutinizing every facet of the production process to reach greater precision, she and her teams have reaped the benefits of a comprehensive vineyard replanting program initiated several years ago. The remarkable qualitative progression of the wines attests to this transformative phase. With its pure and timeless style, Gruaud Larose, in our view, stands as a property poised among the most promising. The philosophy and wines of this estate evoke the words of Coco Chanel, 'Fashion fades, but style is eternal.'

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Delivery Details

International Marketplace Product: Estimated dispatch from Sydney warehouse: June 30th, 2024


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