Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 1988

Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 1988

Gruaud Larose, the revival of a "Super Second"

Since its foundation in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud & Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family, and the Merlaut family. The sprawling 82-hectare vineyard, planted in 1784, envelops the château. This remarkably uniform terroir has remained unchanged since 1855 when the estate earned its prestigious 2nd Grand Cru Classé status.

At Gruaud Larose, the vine thrives in harmony with its natural surroundings, guided by the hands of dedicated individuals. Each vine thrives within a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable ecosystem. Consequently, the teams have embraced a comprehensive approach to uphold the essence of this classified growth. This approach encompasses organic farming (with 2022 marking the inaugural certified vintage), an expansive agroforestry initiative, eco-pasturing, technological innovations, and shifts in viticultural practices to enhance the well-being of the workforce.

A pivotal moment occurred in 2018 when Virginie Sallette assumed the role of Technical Director. In addition to scrutinizing every facet of the production process to reach greater precision, she and her teams have reaped the benefits of a comprehensive vineyard replanting program initiated several years ago. The remarkable qualitative progression of the wines attests to this transformative phase. With its pure and timeless style, Gruaud Larose, in our view, stands as a property poised among the most promising. The philosophy and wines of this estate evoke the words of Coco Chanel, 'Fashion fades, but style is eternal.'