Castle Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 2014

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Nez fermé, s’ouvre lentement sur les fruits rouges, bouche juteuse, fraîche, gourmande, bien mûre, tanins assez souples, épicé en finale. Bonne longueur. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

With a medium body and soft tannins, this wine is fresh, earthy and laced with crisp, crunch of fresh red and black fruits. 90-92 Pts

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The 2014 Château Gruaud Larose is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot that was picked between September 24 and October 11 with the Petit Verdot. I was fermented in wooden and cement vats and is being aged in 40% new French oak. The bouquet unfolds nicely in the glass with blackberry, blueberry and cedar scents that are detailed and quite sensual. The new oak is a little more prominent than recent vintages but it is perfectly in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and citrus-like on the entry, the tannin fine and lending this nascent Gruaud Larose fine precision and poise. This is a superb Saint Julien: fresh and with a satin-like texture. Everything is in place for a promising evolution.

Asian Palate

91-93 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Well made Gruaud-Larose with suave tannins and lifted flavors - violets, black plum, blackberry and sweet spices. Beautifully composed and approachable early - should also age well over the next decade or two easily.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Fragrant and floral fruit at the start, less weighty than in the past, with fine sweetness on the mid palate. Much more complexity to come. Drink: 2019-2030 (91)

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

Rich, perfumed with a suggestion of dried fruit on the end. Very suave on the palate with the tannins only emerging on the finish. Well mannered rather than pushy, but it’s classic St-Julien.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This is tight and compacted with beautiful fruit on the center palate. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very intense.

timatkin.com

90 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

58 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Petit Verdot. Produktion: 150'000 Flaschen Grand Vin. Der Zweitwein, der Sarget (Produktion 250'000 Flaschen), war sehr aromatisch mit viel schönen Cabernetausdruck und einer tollen Aromatik. Also war dies bereits ein gutes Omen für den «richtigen Gruaud». Mit 44 hl/ha war das eine gute Ernte. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Faszinierendes Bouquet, die Cabernetexpression weist eine ganz deutliche, geradlinige Frische auf. Die nasalen Aromen; Cassis, Brombeeren, Zedern, auch einen feinen Hauch von Eucalyptus kann man darin finden. Er vermittelt eine barocke Tiefe, sowie ein ziemlich ausgelegtes Aromenfeld. Im Gaumen saftig, sehr elegante Tannine, gut balanciert und fast ein Bisschen auf dem femininen Trip. Aber vielleicht hat dieser gewisse, feminine Touch ja vielleicht auch etwas mit der neuen Kellermeisterin, Stéphanie Lebaron zu tun… 18/20 2020 – 2045

Wine Enthusiast

92 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

91–93. Barrel Sample. This is a powerful, dry wine showing solid tannins, powered by a background of perfumed black currant flavors. A beautiful balance of fruit and structure will develop down the line.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

The cassis and black cherry fruit glides along here, with hints of warm fruitcake and licorice. Tarry accents emerge at the very end, giving this some depth and grip.
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