Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 2021

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe4/2/2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is a wine of pure breeding and stature. Sepia-toned fruit, spice, new leather, licorice, gravel, dried herbs, pencil shavings and incense are beautifully amplified. Pliant and expansive in the glass, with terrific energy, the 2021 e

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is a wine of pure breeding and stature. Sepia-toned fruit, spice, new leather, licorice, gravel, dried herbs, pencil shavings and incense are beautifully amplified. Pliant and expansive in the glass, with terrific energy, the 2021 exudes class. Polished, supple tannins wrap it all together, before a final burst of vibrant acidity extends the finish.

Wine Advocate

94

byWilliam Kelleythe2/22/2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose has turned out very nicely in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, plums, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety, it's polished and seamless, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and lively acids.

The Wine Independent

94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe1/9/2024

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vibrant notes of kirsch, juicy raspberries, and fresh blackcurrants giving way to underlying scents of violets, licorice, and wild sage plus a touch of pencil lead. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers lovely harmony, with impressively sustained mid-palate fruit and lots of mineral and earth accents framed by fine-grained tannins, finishing with great purity.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe1/8/2024

Crayon and pencil lead on the opening beats, with grilled spice and black fruit. Savoury, cool vintage character, with balanced St Julien personality. Cabernet dominant, this shows real consistency with the En Primeur tasting, and is well worth looking out for. Last year of organic conversion. 95% new oak.

matthewjukes.com

18

byMatthew Jukesthe8/2/2022

The statistics for this wine are rather terrifying. The ultra-keen alcohol level coupled with an extremely dominant Cabernet recipe and a near-100% new oak regime suggests that this might be a relatively lean, mean and oaky wine, but this is not the case. This is a singular song of Cabernet, and it resonates beautifully on the nose and palate. Pure, refreshing, direct and fascinating, this is a huge success wine in 2021. 18

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

L’harmonie incarnée, avec un beau nez floral, une chair particulièrement soyeuse et un retour de grands tannins déliés, mûrs et épicés par son cabernet-sauvignon. Une définition du saint-julien de charme. 84 %, cabernet-sauvignon 12 %, merlot 4 % cabernet franc.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2022

Deep crimson. Fresh graphite, blackcurrant aromas with praline notes. Fresh concentrated juicy dark berry blackcurrant fruits, underlying dark chocolate notes and persistent chalky/ fine-grained tannins. Very good mid-palate density and mineral length. Some savoury notes at the finish. Impressive definition and precision. A classic. 84% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 4% cabernet franc. 18–24 months in French oak. 12.5% alc

Alexandre Ma

94-95

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

For a winery upholding the biodynamic philosophy, I cannot imagine what they have been through in 2021 (yield: 28hl/ha). However, once the fresh and mellow liquid touched my tongue and the flowing body caressed my taste buds, I was really inspired. Gruaud Larose 2021 uses a high percentage of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend, and up to 95% of new oak barrels. With that said, it presents no traces of the barrel, but a soft and mushy texture. How incredible it is! The mild “sweetness” on the finish is absolutely sublime, delivering the rounded and rich mouthfeel in an instant. One word to salute the entire team of Gruaud Larose: Bravo. ???????????????,????????2021???????????(????:28hl/ha)???,???????????,???????????????????????Gruaud Larose 2021?????????84%,??????????95%, ??????????????,??????????,??????????????“??”????,?2021???Gruaud Larose????????????,????Gruaud Larose????????:Bravo?

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Dark in color, the wine kicks off with tobacco leaf, underbrush, herbs, olives, flowers and currants. On the palate the wine is soft, forward, fresh and fruity, with polished tannins, elegant textures and a round, sweet, red currant and black cherry finish. There is a nice spicy, fresh kick in the endnote of the classically-styled, bright, understated wine. Give it a few years to compose itself and it will show quite nicely. The wine blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, 12.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 23-October 7. The yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2025-2055. 92-94

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Gruaud Larose was picked from September 23 until October 7, finishing with the Petit Verdot, and stopping several times to wait for ripeness in certain plots. It was matured in 95% new oak for a planned 18 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon clearly dominates the nose, the black fruit, graphite and touches of tobacco lending it a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with supple but quite firm tannins that frame the graphite-infused black fruit. Quite direct, and in some ways a no-frills Gruaud Larose, though that is not meant pejoratively. Classically styled claret – no more, no less. (12.55% alcohol)

vvwine

93-95

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Purpurrot und tiefgründig, was für ein delikater Duft, die Cassisfrucht ist subtil mit feinen Röstnoten verbunden, eine schöne Mineralik schwingt mit. Im Gaumen straff, kräftig, gut strukturiert, die Tannine sind hochwertig, umhüllen die Frucht wie ein Seidentuch. Langer, feinwürziger Abgang, sehr, sehr frisch. Gelungen und mit Potential. 2028-2050 (Verkostet im April 2022. UGCB)

Anthocyanes

93-95

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Bien que très légèrement fermé et timide, le bouquet de Gruaud Larose est d'une fraicheur et d'une délicatesse magnifiques. Toucher de bouche juteux, frais et harmonieux avec une densité moyenne mais de très beaux tanins veloutés et frais. Le tri a dû être sévère. Une réussite pour une très belle bouteille en devenir.

Wine Advocate

94-95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

The 2021 Gruaud Larose is very impressive, exhibiting deep aromas of wild berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of licorice, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's impressively rich and layered, with lively acids and ripe tannins, it concludes with a pure and penetrating finish. Classically balanced and intensely flavored, it's an elegant, beautifully made wine that is well worth seeking out. Three beautiful parcels of recently planted Cabernet Sauvignon, situated on deep gravel ideally adapted to this variety but hitherto planted with Merlot, make a contribution to the blend this year; but that's only one of the factors that explain why Gruaud has produced a 2021 that looks set to rival or surpass even recent and more propitious vintages such as 2018. The blend is fully 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 12% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and it checks in at 12.5% alcohol. Congratulations are in order for technical director Virginie Sallette and the entire team at Gruaud Larose! Tasted twice. (94 - 95)+

Decanter.com

95

byGeorgina Hindlethe4/1/2022

Black peppercorns, tobacco, ash, vanilla, cinnamon and cedar spice. A gorgeous mouthfeel straight away, the tannins so plump, not heavy or opulent but filling and ripe. This has a charming gentle aspect - a smooth, sleek texture with concentration. Supple and agile, there is lots of energy here, filled with red fruit flavours that have a delicate, sweet liquorice edge. Acidity does not overtake the fruit at all, just lifts the palate all the way through. Excellent work, immensely pleasurable, well framed with promise for long ageing. More Cabernet in the blend than usual. Ageing 14 months in French oak barrels, 15% new, the rest one year old.