2020 Château Gruaud-Larose Grand Cru Classé

The 2020 Château Gruaud-Larose Grand Cru Classé is a refined, deeply expressive Saint-Julien that perfectly captures the elegance and power of Left Bank Bordeaux in a great vintage. Classified as a Second Growth in the historic 1855 classification, it has long been regarded as one of the benchmark wines of the appellation. In recent years, Gruaud-Larose has reached new heights in quality, with the 2020 showing a particularly seductive balance of concentration, finesse and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Gruaud-Larose is a dense, dark ruby with a vibrant purple rim, signaling both youth and intensity. The nose is already strikingly expressive: notes of ripe black cherry, mulberry and black plum compote weave together with classic cassis, hints of menthol, lilac, and dried violet, layered over nuances of licorice, clove, and a subtle cigar-box spice. Underneath, more savory, earthy tones emerge – fallen leaves, worked soil and a touch of graphite – adding serious depth and complexity. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied with a tight, muscular core of dark, ripe fruit wrapped in finely grained, ripe tannins. The texture is both structured and caressingly smooth, giving a distinctly “feminine” and refined impression despite the wine’s underlying power. There is ample freshness to balance the concentration, leading into a long, spicy finish with lingering notes of dark berries, sweet tobacco and subtle oak spice. Already alluring and enjoyable in its youth, it has the backbone and balance to age beautifully; expect it to develop gracefully for 15–25 years, with many critics suggesting the drinking window truly opens from 2025 onward.

Production
Château Gruaud-Larose lies on one of Saint-Julien’s great gravel terraces, made up of deep, stony deposits left by the Gironde around 700,000 years ago – an ideal terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon, providing excellent drainage and natural concentration. The vineyard is planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and smaller portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, and is farmed organically or in the process of full organic conversion, reflecting the estate’s commitment to sustainable viticulture. Harvesting is carried out with great precision to ensure optimal ripeness parcel by parcel, followed by careful sorting of the grapes. Vinification typically involves temperature-controlled fermentation in tank, with gentle extraction to preserve finesse, and subsequent aging in French oak barrels (a proportion new) to integrate tannins and add complexity without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.

Food & Serving
This 2020 Saint-Julien is a classic partner for refined dishes: think roast lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye, venison or other game, and slow-braised beef. It also pairs beautifully with hearty dishes such as duck confit, mushroom ragout, truffle-infused dishes, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F) to highlight its aromatics and structure. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to let the wine unfold and soften; as it matures, a shorter decant to remove sediment and gentle aeration will be sufficient.

Producer
Château Gruaud-Larose is one of the historic names of Saint-Julien, officially ranked as a Deuxième Cru Classé in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. For generations it has been considered among the leading estates of the appellation, just behind the once-undivided Léoville properties, with which it has long shared the limelight. Since 1997 the château has been owned by the Merlaut family, who have invested significantly in both vineyard and cellar, elevating quality and bringing renewed precision and elegance to the wines. Under their stewardship, Gruaud-Larose has consistently received high critical acclaim and is now widely recognized as one of the great, ageworthy references of Saint-Julien, combining classic Bordeaux structure with a particularly refined, seductive style.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.