Château Gruaud Larose 2025

Château Gruaud Larose is a long-established classed-growth estate in Saint-Julien, in the Médoc on the left bank of Bordeaux, founded in 1725. Its vineyards sit on deep gravel mounds, the classic Médoc terroir, where the stony soil drains freely and stores daytime heat to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape here. The blend adds Merlot for flesh and Cabernet Franc for aromatic complexity. The estate is farmed organically. Cabernet's firm tannins and dark fruit set the frame, and barrel ageing builds and refines that structure through slow oxygen exchange while oak adds cedar, vanilla and spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows blackcurrant, ripe plum and cherry, with cedar, tobacco and an earthy, savoury edge. The palate is full and structured, the dark fruit carried on firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity through a long finish that marks a wine built to age. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead, or cellar for the long term. It is a classic partner for roast and grilled red meat.