CHATEAU GRUAUD LAROSE
Since the château was completed in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the helm of Château Gruaud Larose (2nd Cru) in Saint Julien: the Gruaud and Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family, and the Merlaut family. This familial connection extends to the staff, where working at the château is often passed down from father to son and from mother to daughter. Read more


Château Gruaud-Larose


Since the château was completed in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the helm of Château Gruaud Larose (2nd Cru) in Saint Julien: the Gruaud and Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family, and the Merlaut family. This familial connection extends to the staff, where working at the château is often passed down from father to son and from mother to daughter. Owner Jacques Merlaut, vineyard manager Patrick Frédéric, and cellar master Philippe Carmagnac are all good examples.
Jacques Merlaut purchased Château Gruaud Larose in 1997. He owns several other châteaux in Bordeaux under the Taillan Group: Château La Gurgue in Margaux, Château Haut‐Bages Libéral (5th Cru) in Pauillac, Château Citran in Haut Médoc, Château Ferrière (3rd Cru) in Margaux, Château Chasse-Spleen (Cru Bourgeois) in Moulis-en-Médoc, and Château Rabaud-Promis (1st Cru) in Sauternes, among others.
The 82-hectare vineyard is planted with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon has been given more space at the expense of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The goal is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Château Gruaud Larose is unique as the estate has one of the largest vineyards in all of Bordeaux, meaning a vineyard with the most vines in a single plot. The estate also has smaller plots near Château Talbot (4th Cru) and Château Branaire-Ducru (4th Cru) in Saint Julien. Located in the southern part of the appellation – not far from Château Branaire-Ducru and up along the village of Saint Julien – most of the estate's land receives a southeast exposure. The vineyards have not changed much since they were founded in 1781. Thus, the château is exactly the same today as it was when it was classified as a 2nd Cru in the 1855 classification. Château Gruaud Larose's vineyards are the highest located on the Saint Julien plateau.
The château's terroir consists mostly of gravel with quartz, clay, and sand-based soil on the surface. Beneath the top layer of soil are layers of sand and limestone. Clay plays an important role as there is more clay in Château Gruaud Larose's terroir than at any other château in Saint Julien. The vines are on average 46 years old, and the oldest are Cabernet Sauvignon vines that are more than 80 years old.
The first wine is called Château Gruaud Larose 2nd Cru, and the second wine is Sarget de Gruaud Larose.
Château Gruaud Larose should not be drunk young (one to four years). Younger vintages (five to 10 years) should be decanted for two to four hours. Older vintages should not be decanted. The wines are usually best after 12 years. Depending on the vintage, they are best enjoyed between 15 and 35 years of age.
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