2024 Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

The 2024 Gruaud Larose shows excellent potential, bursting with notes of cassis, pencil shavings, iris and violets. Medium to full-bodied, suave and seamless, it's ample and pure, with a precise, refined pro-life and good persistence on the finish. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, it is the fruit of a growing season defined by fully 30 organic phytosanitary treatments and a harvest that concluded on October 8. It checks in at 12.4% alcohol and pH 3.77 (for Gruaud, a rather low number).

Gorgeous dark ruby colour with vivid reflections, slow and steady reveal of grilled earth, savoury rose bud, peony, black tea and floral Cabernet finesse. This is a little softer than the recent exceptional vintages of Gruaud, but the fragrant aromatics have a ton of charm, and this shows skilful construction. Harvest 27 September to 8 October, 3.55pH, 31hl/h yield, slap bang on the appellation average, organic certified. 40% of production in this 1st wine. 95% new oak for ageing.

The 2024 Gruaud Larose is very fine. Dark and ample, with gorgeous presence, the 2024 has so much to offer. Dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, gravel, spice, lavender and dried herbs build effortlessly. Readers will find a Saint-Julien endowed with notable textural depth. The finish is perhaps just a touch narrow, but élevage may very well help with that.

Flowers, boysenberries, raspberries, and cigar box aromatics open the wine. The wine is bright, with notes of chocolate, cherries, currants, spices, mocha, and a refreshing touch of mint providing freshness in the mid-palate through to the finish. The wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.12.39% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place September 27 – October 8. Drink from 2029-2050.  

Based on 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aging in 95% new oak, the 2024 Château Gruaud Larose brings another level of density, showing solid Cabernet aromatics of darker currants, graphite, smoky oak, and freshly sharpened pencil. A closed, tight, inward wine, it nevertheless has solid mid-palate depth, terrific purity of fruit, and ripe, building tannins. It's currently showing its oak, but this will come together and certainly be an outstanding wine.

The 2024 Gruaud Larose, picked between September 27 and October 8, matured in 95% new oak. This has an impressive bouquet for the vintage with pure blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light pressed flower scents. This leans a little toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and quite saline, with sappy black fruit laced with notes of black olive tapenade. Not a persistent Gruaud Larose insofar as there is no peacock's tail on the finish, yet it has a statesman-like classicism that you could not find 10 or 15 years ago.

81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Certified organic. 31 hl/ha. Cask sample . Brambly, dark-fruit aromas. Lovely texture with fine, ripe tannins and enough fruit to soften the tension. Some length on the finish. Harmonious. Should drink well. (JL)

48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Certified organic. Cask sample.

Open and expressive with the Merlot dominating on the nose. Lively and bright on the palate with a certain tension but adequate fruit and well-integrated tannins. (JL)

12.5% Drink 2028 – 2038