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Gruaud Larose 2020

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

This famous and historic Saint Julien 2nd growth is popular throughout the world. This is a large vineyard of 82 hectare which surrounds the château and has changed little in size since the 1855 classification. The grape varieties are 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Gruaud Larose

Label

Tasting Notes

A serious, more obviously structured effort than the suave 2019, the 2020 Gruaud Larose opens in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries mingled with subtle hints of burning embers, pencil shavings and violets framed by a deft touch of classy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, powdery tannins and vibrant fruit flavors, it concludes with an impressively penetrating finish. However, it appears likely to require patience. 2030 - 2060

96
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2023

A lovely softness and texture to this wine with a medium to full body, plenty of fruit and fine velvety tannins. It’s lovely to taste now and will age beautifully. Really seductive. Hard not to drink now but one for the cellar. Best to try after 2025.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2023

The opaque purple-black colored 2020 Gruaud Larose comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries, and fresh black currants, followed by hints of sassafras, dark chocolate, and violets. Medium-bodied, the palate is very tightly coiled at this nascent stage, featuring firm, ripe, grainy tannins, and beautiful freshness to support the bright black berry and floral layers, finishing long and fragrant.

96
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2023

Beautiful depth and character here, with violet flowers on the first nose. Supple but present tannins, there is architecture and a firm core to this wine, something to hold on to as it ages, with the classic elegance of 2020 giving shoulders and tension to the tannins. As it opens you find ruby red fruits, raspberry and loganberry along with pencil lead and smoked earth. The construction is impressive, a clear sign that Gruaud Larose is back up among the greatest estates of St Julien,living up to its 1855 2nd Growth billing. In organic conversion as of 2019, with certification due in 2022 for the vineyard, 95% new oak, 1/3 of production in this wine (following extensive vineyard replantings, so this percentage will rise over the next decade). Virginie Sallette winemaker, Eric Boissenot consultant. Harvest from October 9 to 24.

95
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, February 2023

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Highest percentage yet of Cabernet in the blend. Fruit-driven and structured. Plenty of drive from the word go. Builds on the palate in persistent fashion, the refined tannins giving a long linear flow. Lovely fruit. Delicious now but has ageing potential. (JL)
Drink 2028 – 2045

17.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2021
Read more tasting notes...

Elegant yet driven with gentle power, nothing going overboard or trying too hard. This takes a beat, then it comes strongly - evident spice and flesh, full of raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant pastille, fennel, hawthorn and liquorice. The tannins build up through the palate and press in on the final moments. Virginie Salette winemaker since 2017. A yield of 32hl/ha. Vinify at around 22-23°C, so an extremely low and slow extraction. Harvest was from September 14 to 29. A big shouldered St-Julien but with a wide nuance of flavours.

Drinking Window 2028 - 2042

95
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, May 2021

The 2020 is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. We have been unable to taste this wine En Primeur this year.

Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, April 2021
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.