Appellations

Gruaud Larose 2021

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes

Crayon and pencil lead on the opening beats, with grilled spice and black fruit. Savoury, cool vintage character, with balanced St Julien personality. Cabernet dominant, this shows real consistency with the En Primeur tasting, and is well worth looking out for. Last year of organic conversion. 95% new oak.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2040 Date: 02 April 2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is a wine of pure breeding and stature. Sepia-toned fruit, spice, new leather, licorice, gravel, dried herbs, pencil shavings and incense are beautifully amplified. Pliant and expansive in the glass, with terrific energy, the 2021 exudes class. Polished, supple tannins wrap it all together, before a final burst of vibrant acidity extends the finish.

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2029-2046 Date: 27 February 2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is developing nicely now that the wine is in bottle, the vineyard having been converted to organic viticulture two years earlier. It has a refined bouquet that needs a little more coaxing than other Saint-Juliens this vintage: brambly black fruit, a hint of cassis, that Pauillac element I commented upon from barrel dialed down, at least at present. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite fresh in the mouth, with fine depth and well judged acidity. I'm not sure it will be a long-term prospect, yet there is appreciable tension on the finish and more precision than you would have found in vintages a decade earlier. Elegant and refined.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2045 Date: 22 February 2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is very impressive, exhibiting deep aromas of wild berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of licorice, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's impressively rich and layered, with lively acids and ripe tannins, it concludes with a pure and penetrating finish. Classically balanced and intensely flavored, it's an elegant, beautifully made wine that is well worth seeking out. Three beautiful parcels of recently planted Cabernet Sauvignon, situated on deep gravel ideally adapted to this variety but hitherto planted with Merlot, make a contribution to the blend this year; but that's only one of the factors that explain why Gruaud has produced a 2021 that looks set to rival or surpass even recent and more propitious vintages such as 2018. The blend is fully 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 12% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and it checks in at 12.5% alcohol. Congratulations are in order for technical director Virginie Sallette and the entire team at Gruaud Larose! Tasted twice.

Score: 94 - 95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022