Château Gruaud Larose 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Gruaud Larose 2023

Tasting

Colour
Intense, the colour is adorned with garnet reflections.

Nose
Rich, the nose exhales fruity fragrances (black fruits), woody (cedar) and minty notes.

Palate
An ample attack precedes a palate combining power, delicacy and persistence. 

A smooth and complex Second Cru Classé from Saint-Julien

The estate

A historical reference of the Saint-Julien appellation, the Château Gruaud Larose was founded in 1757, at the time of the merger of various estates. The estate took this name when the heir of Joseph Gruaud added his name "Larose", thus becoming known as Château Gruaud Larose. Part of the Merlaut family since 1997, Château Gruaud Larose embodies the excellence of the great red wines of Saint-Julien and seduces lovers of the appellation with its style.

The vineyard

Château Gruaud Larose is a Saint-Julien wine from a vineyard of 82 hectares. The vines, with an average age of 48 years, rest on Garonne gravels from the Quaternary period deposited over 600,000 years ago. In organic conversion since the 2019 vintage, the vineyard of Château Gruaud Larose is managed according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture.

The vintage

Early, bud burst is followed by a frost in early April that does not impact the vineyard. Subsequently, high humidity combined with mild conditions from April to mid-June cause high mildew pressure reminiscent of the years 2018 and 2021, controlled by the rigour of the teams. Despite this, favourable meteorology ensures homogeneous flowering and fruit set. The mildness of July ensures a progressive maturation of the berries before a hot August. Harvests carried out parcel by parcel according to ripeness reveal concentrated, fresh grapes with a delicate tannic structure.

Vinification and ageing

Parcel and intra-parcel selection. Manual harvest with four levels of sorting, including optical sorting. Vinification in truncated wooden vats.  The ageing takes place over 18 months in French oak barrels (95% new).

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), Merlot (14.5%) and Cabernet Franc (2.5%).