Château Gruaud Larose 2025
Presentation
Larose rings with poetry, aromas, and bouquet. Thus, Father Gruaud liked to describe his wine, a wine made of Elegance and Strength. Château Gruaud Larose is different from other wines. Father Gruaud wanted it to be subtle, refined, comparable to the most beautiful works of art in the world.
The vintage
The 2025 vintage was marked by a strong drought, with only 700 mm of rain, resulting in concentrated and intense wines. A mild winter favored an early bud break and rapid ripening under the summer heat, leading to early harvest in September, completed on September 20 before autumn.
Terroir
The terroir of Gruaud Larose is truly remarkable and unique. It is an 80-hectare vineyard made up of a single plot composed of gravel from the Gironde estuary dating back to the Mindel I and Mindel II eras (approximately 700,000 years old). In some places, these gravels reach a depth of more than 5 meters. The soil, very poor and sandy, has the particularity of being well drained. Drainage, which is a major concern for a conscientious winemaker, is a very important factor for Gruaud Larose, which has implemented efficient techniques since the early 19th century. A natural draining system is achieved thanks to the poverty of the soils and hot, dry summers.
Winemaking
Tanks 100% thermoregulated wooden. Precisely selected yeasts. Fermentation temperatures: 24°C - 28°C for optimal extraction of polyphenols. Tasting twice a day of each tank for tailor-made extractions: pumping over and/or air-pulse cane. 3 vertical presses. Barrel aging of the pressed wine. Tasting of each barrel and distribution into different quality levels.
Ageing
18 months in new barrels, French oak origin.
Varietals
Cabernet-sauvignon : 77%
Merlot : 21%
Cabernet franc : 2%
Specifications
Surface area of the vineyard : 82.00 ha
Age of vines : 49 years old
Tasting
"Crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with spring flowers, graphite, tobacco leaf, and spicy wood all emerge from the 2025 Château Gruaud Larose, a deep purple-hued Saint-Julien based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that's resting in 80% new French oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks with its sheer class and purity. Full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, graceful mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish, all grounded by a remarkable sense of balance and elegance. It checks in at 13.47% alcohol with a pH of 3.71. This is a heavenly Saint-Julien that brings the richness of the vintage alongside an unmistakable sense of class. Bravo!" - Jeb Dunnuck
Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck
Vinous
Decanter
Wine Advocate
