2018 Château 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
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.