Producer | Château Gruaud-Larose |
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux |
Subregion | St.-Julien |
Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 5005640 |
Size | 3L |
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!
Aromas of currants blackberries dried flowers dark chocolate and tobacco leaves. Citrus zest too. It?s full-bodied with firm ultra fine tannins. Complex and layered with a juicy core of ripe fruit. Silky and delicious. Very creamy and fine-tannined. Better from 2025.
vThis has a bit of polish to its mix of cassis crushed plum and blackberry fruit flavors before a wave of bittersweet cocoa tobacco and iron score the finish. But while muscular and grippy in the end there's ample freshness here throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 12133 cases made.
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.
I was delighted to taste the 2018 Gruaud Larose as I missed it en primeur. Ripe and sweet on attack Gruaud Larose is an especially dense flamboyant Saint-Julien. Inky red fruit mocha wild flowers and spice abound. I find the new oak a bit overpowering but the 2018 is an undeniably gorgeous and enticing wine.
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