Gruaud Larose 2017 St. Julien Premium Bordeaux Wine Review (2nd Growth)

Gruaud Larose is a 2nd Growth in the 1855 Classification System from the St. Julien region.

The winery was originally named Fond Bedeau. Then the winery was split up into separate parcels: Chevalier de Gruaud, which belonged to the priest, and Abbe Gruaud which belonged to a judge..

In 1778, the Chevalier de Gruaud passed away and left the estate to his son-in-law, Joseph Sebastian de La Rose, who added his name to the estate so it became Gruaud Larose. In 1812, the family sold Gruaud Larose to Pierre Balguerie, Baron Jean Auguste Sarget, and David Verdonnet. David Verdonnet passed away shortly after and left his share to the two remaining partners. The 2 families managed the estate until 1867, when 1/2 of it was sold to the Bethmann family (Baron Sarget kept his half). The wines were bottled and sold as both Chateau Gruaud Larose Faure and Chateau Gruaud Larose-Bethmann at different times.

The Sarget portion of the estate was purchased by the Cordier family in 1917. The Cordier family became wealthy during World War 1 when they contracted with the French Government to provide wine rations to soldiers on a daily basis. The Bethmann family sold their remaining shares to the Cordier family in 1935. In 1997 Gruaud Larose was purchased by Jacques Merlaut, who also owns Chateau Haut Bages Liberal, Chateau Citran, Chateau Ferriere and Chateau Chasse Spleen.

The estate consists of 82-hectare of vineyard planted to 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The goal of the estate to eventually reach 70% Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard. Gruaud Larose has one of the largest vineyards in all of Bordeaux with most of its vines in one single block.

The winery has 30 oak vats ranging in size from 55 to 115 hectoliters and 32 concrete vats that hold 50-100 hectoliters. Starting with the 2010 vintage, the wine is aged on average in 85% new, French oak barrels for about 18 months. About 18,000 cases of Gruaud Larose Grand Vin is produced each year.

For the 2017 vintage, the blend of the wine is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. It was aged 18-24 months in French oak barrels, 80% new, the rest 1-2 years old.

For more information about the winery please see their website at https://www.gruaud-larose.com/en/