2012 Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

Colour: Red

Vintage: 2012

Region: Bordeaux, Saint-Julien

A 2nd growth Saint-Julien château, Gruaud Larose produces some of the Médoc’s finest wines and its worth remains undisputed among the winemakers and critics of today. With over 80 hectares, it is a plot that has remained under vine since the beginning of the château’s existence – and many of the current vines in use stretch back to almost a hundred years. Recent investment has been significant as the estate’s owners look to return the wines to their former glory and the evidence thus far, from the 2015 vintage onwards, suggests it is very much paying off. As such, this château deserves to be held in the highest esteem.

Tasting Notes and Scores

90-92 NM

The Grand Vin is a blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6.5% Petit Verdot, delivering 13.46% alcohol and an IPT of 73. Harvest commenced on 2nd October with the Merlot, the Cabernet picked between 11th and 18th October. The bouquet is fresh with expressive Merlot – not a complex aromatic profile but expanding nicely in the glass with subtle floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a gentle but insistent grip. The acidity is well judged and it builds very nicely in the mouth to a finish that is more sophisticated than the nose presently suggest. This will be a fine, medium-term Gruaud Larose. – eRobertParker.com, May 2013

Neal Martin

90 WS

Inviting, with a fleshy core of plum, blackberry and anise notes, lined with graphite and warm fruitcake hints and supported by a juicy finish that keeps the toast in the background. Very solid and without the overtly austere feel of the vintage. Drink now through 2020. 13,333 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2015)

Wine Spectator

90 JS

A minerally red with blueberry and blackberry character. Stones, too. Medium body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Layered and pretty. Second wine of Gruaud-Larose. Better in 2017. – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2016

James Suckling

89-91 BI

Quite tight on the nose. 2/3 Cabernet, the rest mainly merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot. Well structured palate with black cherry, ripe plum and a touch a green pepper. 13% alcohol.

Bordeaux Index

89 RP

A nice, earthy, black fruited, spicy and meaty 2012 Gruaud Larose, with medium body, excellent depth, chunky roasted herb and aged beef notes, this wine finishes authoritatively and the tannins are reasonably ripe. Give it another 3-5 years cellaring and drink it over the following 15 or so years. 89 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #218, April 2015)

Wine Advocate

88-91 MS

[66CS/27M/7PV] Fine and mineral to smell, a very promising nose; fresh, elegant, complete and very finely tannic; sweet, gently fleshy, gently minerally, no great concentration, but no weakness either, and with excellent aromatic length. A very nice Gruaud. + 2020-30 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013]

Michael Schuster

17 JR

Savoury and dark and not at all leafy. Restrained on the nose. Grainy but ripe tannins, juicy within a firm structure. Still a baby but everthing in harmony for a long life. – Julia Harding (jancisrobinson.com, Oct 2014)

Jancis Robinson

Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien