2018 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Gruaud Larose has a burly and powerful nose with blackberry and juniper, perhaps without the same precision as the previous vintage, the summer stamping its authority over the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly lactic entry, though less than before, with dark chocolate infusing the black fruit with a dab of black pepper and spice box on the finish. It finishes with style, though I prefer the 2019 by comparison. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-crimson hue. Dark and intense on the nose. Dense and structured on the palate with layers of fruit and a powerful tannic frame. Vigorous and, at present, unyielding. Needs time but clear ageing potential. (JL)
The 2018 Gruaud-Larose has a perfumed bouquet with raspberry and touches of seaweed, opening up a little since I last tasted it. The palate is sweet and plump on the entry with lush red fruit, dark chocolate and candied orange peel. This is an approachable and generous Gruaud-Larose, but as I wrote before, it could be more complex.
Tasted blind. Tea-leaf aroma. Polished tannins and unusually sweet fruit. Not too alcoholic though. Fine boned and an agreeable, well-balanced claret. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. It is often considered one of the best-value Left Bank estates, with the wines occasionally matching those of the First Growths.