Chateau Gruaud Larose 2021

Weinwisser: "Komplexes Bouquet, zarte blaubeerige Konturen, betörender Iris- Duft und dunkles Graphit. Am beruhigenden Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, balancierter Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und athletischem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Wildkirsche, tiefe Terroirwürze und pfeffriges Extrakt. Der Jahrgang spielt diesem filigranen St.-Julien in die Karten, auf dem gleichen Niveau wie in den letzten Jahren, in seiner Appellation sogar Klassenbester."

Decanter: "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."

Wine Advocate: "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."

Vinum: "Von grosser Präzision und ausgesuchter Rasse, Klassetannin, besondere Spannkraft und Länge; herrlicher Gruaud, dem der Stil des Jahres wie angepasst sitzt."

Wine Cellar Insider: "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."

Falstaff: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Kräuterwürze, Noten von Brombeeren und Cassis, frische Orangenzesten, tabakige Nuancen. Straff, frische Kirschen, lebendig strukturiert, gut integrierte Tannine, mineralisch, Rote Johannisbeeren im Abgang, ganz zarte Fruchtsüße im Nachhall, ein leichtfüßiger, unkomplizierter Speisenbegleiter, bald antrinkbar."

Perroti-Brown: "The 2021 Gruaud Larose is made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 23 September to 7 October, and aging in 95% new oak for an anticipated 18 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of coaxing to unlock notes of ripe blackcurrants, fresh blackberries, and mulberries, leading to wafts of pencil shavings, dried roses, and crushed rocks, plus a hint of tapenade. Light to medium-bodied, the palate has great tension and energy with a great backbone of ripe grainy tannins and loads of mineral and earth layers, finishing with a refreshing lift. It has an impressive quiet intensity that really works."

Neal Martin: "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 mediumbodied with supple but quite firm tannins that frame the graphite-infus 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)"