Savoury, chiselled and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated fruits, totally gorgeous and so moreish. Controlled power, huge precision, with an elasticity to the tannins. It is Left Bank in a glass, St Julien in a glass, and easily one of the greatest Gruaud Larose's at this stage for a good few decades. Harvest September 20 to October 5. First year in certified organic conversion. Totally beautiful. 80% new oak
97 points, Jane Anson (Nov 2021)
A gorgeous dark purple colour in the glass with a bright pink rim. It is a little reticent on the nose, just giving a hint of fragranced fruit with dark chocolate, caramel and sweet coffee touches - so inviting. Ultra sleek and suave on the palate but at the same time racy and vibrant. A combination of rich black fruits and quite savoury aspects on the palate, tar, tobacco and wood smoke with black currants and cherries but here the emphasis really is on those herbal, medicinal aspects that give this such a serious tone but also such interest and intrigue. Lifted and bright on the palate but soft tannins letting the aromatics do all the talking. Seductive. Will be incredibly moreish in a few years.
96 points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter (Jan 2022)
The 2019 Gruaud Larose is performing extremely well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with notions of licorice, potpourri, pencil shavings and subtle soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with powdery tannins and succulent acids, it's remarkably suave and refined for a wine of obvious breadth, concentration and power.
95+ points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)
The 2019 Gruaud Larose is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock notes of pencil lead, black olives, anise and dried roses with a core of black currant pastilles, Morello cherries, cedar chest, and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the flavors slowly grow in the mid-palate with layer upon layer of crucnhy black and red fruits and lots of earthy accents, finishing very long with lingering fragrance.
95+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Apr 2022)