The colour is deep garnet. On the nose at first a bit animal, but also forest floor, tobacco and blueberries. In the mouth very elegant and smooth, with nicely integrated tannins. On the palate coffee and cocoa. The taste is subtle. The aftertaste fairly long but slightly bitter.
Château Gruaud-Larose is a 2ème Cru Classé made under the St-Julien AOC. The 2009 vintage is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot.
Gruaud Larose has a long history in the Saint Julien appellation that dates back to 1725 when the property was created by a knight known as Joseph Stanislas Gruaud.
In 1778, the property was passed down to a son-in-law, Joseph Sebastian de La Rose. La Rose added his name to the estate, which became Gruaud Larose.
In 1997 Gruaud Larose was purchased by Jacques Merlaut, who owns other Bordeaux vineyards under the Taillan Group, including Château Haut Bages Liberal, Château Ferriere, Château Camensac, Château Citran and Château Chasse Spleen.
The vineyard is exactly the same today as it was when it was classified as one of the fifteen Second Growths in the 1855 Classification of the Medoc.
For this bottle I paid 66 CHF en primeur. It turned out to be a very good deal. Nowadays the outstanding 2009 vintage of Gruaud Larose is difficult to find and sells for some 100 CHF more.
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Type: Red
Vintage: 2009
Producer: Château Gruaud-Larose
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5