Gruaud Larose

History of Château Gruaud Larose

Founded in 1725 by Joseph Stanislas Gruaud, Château Gruaud Larose has a rich history, marked by the succession of several families and multiple events. Originally, the estate was called Fond Bedeau and already produced a highly appreciated wine. Over the years, the estate expanded under the direction of the Gruaud descendants. In 1778, Chevalier Joseph Sébastien de Larose, husband of Joseph Gruaud's granddaughter, took over the property and added his name to it.

In 1812, due to a lack of direct heirs, the estate was auctioned and passed through the hands of several families, including the Sarget and Balguerie families, who temporarily divided the estate into two distinct entities. It wasn't until 1935 that Désiré Cordier reunified the entire vineyard, a period marked by major reinvestments in modernising the infrastructure. In 1997, the château was acquired by the Merlaut family, under the direction of Jacques Merlaut, whose son Jean now manages the estate. Gruaud Larose's motto, "The king of wines, the wine of kings", reflects the quest for excellence that has driven the property for several centuries.

The 1928 vintage of Château Gruaud Larose received a 97/100 from Robert Parker, while 1961, 1982, 1945 and 2020 followed close behind with 96/100, illustrating the longevity and depth of this Saint-Julien of character.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Gruaud Larose

The Gruaud Larose vineyard spans 82 hectares, on the left bank, almost entirely grouped around the château, a rarity in the Médoc region. This vineyard is located on a plateau of Quaternary Garonne gravel, an exceptional soil that favours the flourishing of traditional Médoc grape varieties. The soil composition, a mixture of quartz, gravel, clay and sand, offers a unique terroir where the vines, averaging 40 to 46 years old, draw the richness of their character.

The estate's grape varieties reflect the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), associated with Merlot (29%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, giving the wines their structure and ability to age, while Merlot brings suppleness and immediate charm. The estate aims to increase the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to 70% in the coming years to optimise the quality of its wines.

Since the 2019 vintage, Gruaud Larose has undertaken its conversion to organic farming, resulting in official certification for the 2022 vintage. The estate also practices biodynamic techniques, promoting biodiversity within its vines, for example by introducing hedges, winter grazing by sheep, as well as installing beehives and bat boxes. Everything is done to maintain a balanced ecosystem that respects the environment.

Vinification at Château Gruaud Larose

The vinification process at Gruaud Larose combines traditional know-how and innovation. The harvest is carried out manually, ensuring a rigorous selection of grapes, plot by plot. Vinification then takes place in temperature-controlled vats, in wood and cement, allowing precise control of fermentation temperatures. Maceration lasts between 20 and 30 days, ensuring optimal extraction of tannins and aromas.

The ageing of the wines is a crucial step at Gruaud Larose. The wines spend 18 months in French oak barrels, 80% of which are new barrels for the grand vin, giving the wine a solid tannic structure and complex aromas of wood and vanilla. The advice of renowned oenologist Éric Boissenot, a Médoc specialist, and technical director Virginie Sallette, ensures meticulous monitoring at each stage of vinification, thus guaranteeing wines of exceptional quality.

The Cuvées of Château Gruaud Larose

Château Gruaud Larose offers two main cuvées, each reflecting a distinct style while sharing the same demand for quality.

Château Gruaud Larose - The Grand Vin

The grand vin of Gruaud Larose, producing between 250,000 and 300,000 bottles each year, is the perfect expression of the Saint-Julien appellation. This wine is often described as being among the most powerful and structured of the appellation. Endowed with great longevity, it is distinguished by intense aromas of black fruits, leather, spices and precious wood. On the palate, the texture is velvety and the tannic structure impressive. This wine combines strength and finesse, and certain vintages can rival the First Growths. It is advisable to let it age to allow its complex aromas to blend harmoniously.

Sarget de Gruaud Larose - The Second Wine

Sarget de Gruaud Larose, produced since 1979, is the estate's second wine. It is made from younger vine plots or batches that are not retained for the grand vin. The grape varieties for this cuvée are slightly different with 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. The vinification process remains traditional, with a maceration of 20 to 30 days and ageing in barrels for 14 months, with only 15% new wood.

This wine is characterised by supple tannins and a round palate, accessible from its youth. With an annual production of about 150,000 bottles, Sarget de Gruaud Larose is a pleasant wine, perfect for earlier tasting, but also offering a good ageing capacity.

Saint-Julien, a flagship appellation of the Médoc in Bordeaux, is renowned for its red wines of great finesse and longevity. Certain vintages particularly stand out for their exceptional quality, offering powerful, elegant and complex wines. Among the finest vintages, one finds years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which are true benchmarks for connoisseurs of age-worthy wines. More recent years have not been left behind, with notable vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, all praised for their balance and ageing potential. The years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 also distinguish themselves through their richness and complexity, continuing to make Saint-Julien an essential reference in the world of wine.

The Second Growths of 1855 constitute a prestigious category, grouping together iconic estates that often rival the First Growths in quality. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both located in Margaux, as well as Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, wine enthusiasts will appreciate the wines from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the famous Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Don't miss Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, as well as the essential Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac.

Château Gruaud Larose is an essential estate for lovers of great Bordeaux wines. With a rich history, exceptional terroir and a resolute commitment to sustainable viticultural practices, this château produces wines of great quality, both in power and elegance. Whether you choose the grand vin or the second wine, each bottle of Gruaud Larose tells the story of centuries-old expertise, a unique terroir, and a passion for excellence. Thanks to its efforts in organic and biodynamic agriculture, Gruaud Larose continues to evolve while remaining faithful to its heritage.