Gruaud Larose (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Julien 2022

Alexandre Ma

97

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Such a mesmerizing beauty—so captivating that even the boldest Spartan warrior would lose his composure. Upon learning that this wine contains 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, I anticipated a powerful, full-bodied experience. But as the aromas of violet blossoms, cinnamon, cardamom, red tea, and pine filled the air, I found myself completely disarmed. This isn’t a wine from a dry vintage at all—it’s literally a fresh fruit extravaganza! The wine’s silky smooth texture feels so tender it could almost weep with moisture, while the tannins are as fine and delicate as crab roe. After years of biodynamic experimentation, Château Gruaud Larose has truly found its stride in the 2022 vintage. This wine is set to redefine the Saint-Julien landscape, ushering in a bold new era that we can’t help but dream about.

Wine Advocate

96

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

Bottled in May 2024, the 2022 Gruaud Larose has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, violets, vine smoke, pen ink and tar. Medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, it's rich and broad, with terrific depth at the core, sweet structuring tannins and a long, expansive finish. Checking in at 13.6% alcohol, it's the estate's first organic-certified vintage.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Savoury, intense, enjoyable, Cabernet Sauvignon dominant in blend and character, balanced, finessed, charcoal and campfire, cassis, blueberry and pomegranate, good stuff.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Gruaud Larose, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The 2022 Château Gruaud Larose is largely Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 95% new barrels. It's an inky-hued 2022 that has a killer nose of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, liquid violets, and a beautiful, crushed stone-like minerality. This powerful, full-bodied Gruaud La Rose has plenty of mid-palate depth, fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's probably best hidden in the back of the cellar for a decade if possible, but it should be incredibly long-lived. I think it's as good as the 2018 and one of the absolute classics from this château.

Yvesbeck.wine

100

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc Le bouquet de Gruaud Larose pose les jalons d'entrée, sans détour, avec confiance, sérénité et beaucoup de tact. Ce vin n'a jamais cherché l'éclat, mais il aime consolider ses ambitions de manière claire et limpide. L'élevage fait ce pourquoi il est précieux, soit de soutenir tous les éléments olfactifs présents en les emballant et en les plaçant sur le devant de la scène. Tout est cohérent, rien ne dépasse, mais tout est dédié à ouvrir des perspectives dédiées au rêve, au plaisir, à Epicure ! Que de profondeur, de délicatesse, d'harmonie. Et je rappelle au passage que je ne décris que le bouquet pour l'instant… En bouche, le vin a le grand mérite de parfaitement assimiler toutes les promesses du bouquet. Il est profond, linéaire, subtil et soutenu par des tannins parfaitement intégrés qui offrent non seulement une assise extraordinaire, mais qui vont de pair avec le côté incisif de la structure, salivante de surcroît. Ce vin n'est pas seulement une des très grandes réussites de Gruaud-Larose, il fait partie du Hall of Fame de Bordeaux 2022. Un vin exceptionnel qui n'est qu’au tout début de son périple. Il saura convaincre au fil des années ; pour ma part, il l'a déjà fait aujourd'hui. S'il le faut, j'augmenterai la note par la suite… 2028-2057 100/100

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Gruaud Larose, the first year made organically, left a big impression when tasted from barrel, evoking some of the legendary wines from the estate encountered in the past. Bottled in May 2024, it has a supremely well-defined bouquet featuring intense black fruit laced with pencil box and forest floor scents. Typically Saint-Julien in style—this communicates where it comes from. The palate is fresh and vibrant. This is a more structured and delineated Gruaud than previous vintages, with greater brightness. It has "clean lines," so to speak, gently fanning out toward the finish that contains just the right amount of sapidity and becomes peppery with time in the glass. This is an outstanding success that completely justifies my positive review—who knows, it may kick on from bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Quite a discreet nose of dark fruit and minerals, with excellent depth. Uncoiled power and intensity, with a full body and firm but polished tannins that dissolve into a long and close-knit finish. It goes on for almost a minute. Try from 2028.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

Deep, layered and resonant, with tremendous persistence, the 2022 Gruaud Larose is a wine of notable pedigree and class. Black cherry, plum, menthol, sage, licorice and orange peel build in a wine of real substance and finesse. Swaths of tannin wrap around the long, sustained finish. This is every bit as impressive as it was _en primeur_.

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Another excellently consistent wine from Gruaud in 2022 that gives terroir typicality with crystalline purity and such overall charm. Smooth and supple, silky but firm, generous but serious. Gorgeous acidity keeps the palate lifted and fresh while the concentrated fruit and quite present tannins give the structure and frame. I love the detail and purity, powerful and strong but refined. Direct with energy and juicy, vibrant acidity. Mineral, graphite and liquorice aspects grip the palate and linger on the finish with soft spices. Has a very moreish quality with approachability but the racy core and intense backbone suggests long ageing potential. 3.8pH. 3.45g/l total acidity. 40% production. 13% press wine (only Cabernet Sauvignon).

Alexandre Ma

95-97

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

Behold a peony of exquisite beauty, so captivating that even the valiant Spartans would be transformed into gentle souls. When I learned that the Cabernet Sauvignon content reached a staggering 83%, I expected a rich, bold wine; yet, as countless wisteria blossoms unfurl and the fragrances of cinnamon, cardamom, black tea, and pine envelop the palate, I find myself utterly disarmed. It is astonishing how this vintage not only lacks the hallmarks of a hot, arid year but also seems to be a veritable celebration of fresh fruits! Within the wine's delicate body a velvety tannin, the skin is so tender as if it could be squeezed into liquid. After years of trial on biodynamics, Château Gruaud Larose has reached dazzling heights with the vintage of 2022, which, in my estimation, is the most exceptional En Primeur I have encountered.

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Gruaud Larose was picked from 7 to 24 September and includes a little more pressed wine this year: 13.5% exclusively from Cabernet Sauvignon due to the quality. This latest vintage matured for a planned 18 months in 95% new oak. Significantly, this is the first year under organic certification (notice two storks on the label signifying this. Maybe they are carrying a little Gruaud baby?) At 13.64% alcohol, this is less than many other properties for those seeking slower intoxication. It has an impressive bouquet with pure blackberry and raspberry fruit, black truffle and sous-bois scents. I am impressed by its delineation and focus; frankly, these are the nicest aromatics I've encountered for a while at this address. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins. I cannot remember a Gruaud at this nascent stage that exhibits this level of energy and tension deriving from the Cabernet Sauvignon extracted at the beginning of vinification. There's much more precision here. Mineral-driven toward the finish, this easily surpasses vintages made at the estate over the last decade and more. Perhaps like the legendary Gruauds of old (1982, 1961, 1928, even 1870)? Gruaud reborn.

The Vintage Journal

94-95

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Blackberry, black cherry cacao aromas with hints of vanilla/ spice. Sweet fruited palate with plentiful blackberry, dark cherry fruits, supple grainy/ velvety tannins and underlying vanilla oak notes. Finishes firm and tight. (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, with small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot 85% new oak)

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Gruaud Larose is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs some coaxing to bring out scents of wild blueberries, blackcurrant jelly, and black raspberries, with touches of garrigue, dried mint, underbrush, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with bright, youthful black fruits and evocative mineral sparks, framed by grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing earthy. 40% of the year's production went into the first wine.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-98

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet de Gruaud se révèle avec finesse et élégance. Que de subtilité et de pertinence qui ne fait que confirmer la trajectoire avec pour vision l'excellence que l'on s'est fixé à Gruaud Larose. Le 2022 ne fait que confirmer les excellentes prestations des années précédentes, y compris 2021 ou 2017, cela rappelle quand-même le niveau de base ! Notes de fruits frais et d'épices douces complétées par du bois de réglisse, de garrigues et de graphite. En bouche Gruaud se révèle de manière subtile, sur la pointe des pieds. Il ne cherche par la démonstration, il se concentre sur la finesse que le bouquet annonçait déjà. Les tannins sont fins, puissants, aux grains fins et en phase avec la tension. Ils assurent les arrières, portent le vin et l'amènent vers la finale qui se charge de relater fraîcheur et fruit. Surtout dans la finale de la finale… un Gruaud Larose concret, linéaire, abouti, puissant et fin. La notion de grand vin est clairement acquise.

Bettane & Desseauve

97-98

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Le vin continue d’exprimer avec force et éloquence son terroir, grâce à une qualité d’extraction raffinée, lui apportant des sensations tactiles d’une rare distinction. Plus souple mais pas moins impressionnant les meilleurs de son appellation. Rapport qualité-prix unique à ce niveau.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Gruaud-Larose is 83% Cabernet, the most Cabernet ever for the Grand Vin here. A huge, opulent wine, Gruaud-Larose offers up an exotic mélange of blackberry fruit, cloves, espresso, licorice, bittersweet chocolate and incense. This full-throttle Saint-Julien is not exactly subtle, but its balance is impeccable. Readers should expect an unctuous, dense wine with tons of concentration, a good deal of new oak and all the pedigree to hold it all together. Drinking window : 2028-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Deep in color, with a simple swirl you find wet forest floor, cigar box, licorice, spice, flowers, and currants in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, rich and dense, but refined, round. and juicy. Even with all that weight, the wine is vibrant, energetic, long and fresh, The finish builds in intensity, leaving you with layers of dark black, red and blue fruits, chocolate, licorice, espresso. and spice. 2022 marks the first vintage Gruaud Larose was organically certified. The wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.13.65% ABV, 3.8 pH. Picking took place September 7 - September 24. Yield were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2060.

Wine Advocate

94-96

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The progress at this estate continues with the terrific 2022 Gruaud Larose, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc that unfurls in the glass with deep aromas of minty blackberries, violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's elegantly muscular, with a broad attack that segues into a concentrated mid-palate framed by supple, powdery tannins. Richer and more brooding than its 2020 and 2019 counterparts, it confirms Gruaud's return to the Saint-Julien élite. Around one-third of the production made it into the grand vin this year, the château's first with organic certification. 94 - 96+