Chateau Gruaud Larose 2016

Chateau Gruaud Larose has a shorter history than most of its neighbors. The estate began in 1725, when Joseph Stanislas Gruaud purchased a property called Fond-Bedeau. Two other members of the Gruaud family, a priest and a magistrate, eventually joined forces and combined their property to increase the size of the estate to 116 hectares. Te Magistrate died in 1778 and the property was deeded to Joseph Sebastian de la Rose, who renamed the property Gruaud Larose. In 1812, the Larose family was forced to sell the estate to pay their debts. 3 partners purchased the property together but 1 died shortly after and his shares were divide between the other 2. Shortly after the 1855 classification, the property was divided, one estate was called Gruaud Larose Sarget and the other was Gruaud Larose Faure. The Sarget property constructed the Chateau in 1875. The Cordier group purchased the Sarget portion in 1917 and the Faure portion in 1935. The estate was complete again under the Cordier ownership. In 1997 Jacques Merlaut purchased the estate. Jean Merlaut currently owns the property.

The 82 hectare Saint Julien vineyard of Gruaud Larose is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. They are actively increasing the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and decreasing Cabernet Franc.

Wine Spectator: 93
This has a wide range of red currant, blackberry, black cherry and açaí berry fruit flavors forming the core, with a very sleek iron note lurking underneath it all. The finish uses a fine singed wood stitching to pull the fruit and minerality together. Lovely. Best from 2023 through 2038. 12,200 cases made

Wine Advocate: 94
The 2016 Gruaud Larose is blended of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notes of red and black cherries, warm plums and freshly crushed blackcurrants plus hints of violets, oolong tea, aniseed and tilled soil with a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied, the palate struts tons of elegantly fragrant red and black fruit flavors with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Wine Advocate: 94

The 2016 Gruaud Larose is blended of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notes of red and black cherries, warm plums and freshly crushed blackcurrants plus hints of violets, oolong tea, aniseed and tilled soil with a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied, the palate struts tons of elegantly fragrant red and black fruit flavors with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Decanter: 95
This is well built and powerful, not exactly subtle, but then none of these wines are. Instead you get complex, layered and concentrated inky fruits, with some aniseed too. The balance and elegance of St-Julien comes in through the tailored and fine tannins on the finish, but while these tannins may be fine, there are lots of them. 80% new oak. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040.

Wine Enthusiast: 94
This is a dense, smoky wine with powerful tannins. It follows the line of richness set since the 2014 vintage and balances rich black fruits and con-centrated tannins cut with final acidity. Drink from 2025.

Vinous: 93
The 2016 Gruaud-Larose has quite a fruit-driven, generous bouquet of layers of black and red fruit laced with graphite and tertiary aromas. Is there just a slight touch of brettanomyces here? The medium-bodied palate is earthy and a little ferrous, with rounded tannin, and quite approachable compared to its peers. Slightly smudged toward the finish, but it shows great persistence. Very fine, very Gruaud.

Vinous: 93

The 2016 Gruaud-Larose has quite a fruit-driven, generous bouquet of layers of black and red fruit laced with graphite and tertiary aromas. Is there just a slight touch of brettanomyces here? The medium-bodied palate is earthy and a little ferrous, with rounded tannin, and quite approachable compared to its peers. Slightly smudged toward the finish, but it shows great persistence. Very fine, very Gruaud.

James Suckling: 94
So much sweet-tobacco and currant character with some earth on the nose. Full body, firm and chewy tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Closed and complex still, but a typically beautiful Bordeaux. Try after 2022.