2012 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
This is pure and unforced with bright fruit on the nose and quite an aromatic style. Not big but there is plenty of juicy fruit on the palate followed by a fresh finish. A good effort and further evidence of the serious quality that is now being achieved here. FINE+RARE
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
FINE+RARE
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Gruaud Larose is perhaps even more austere than the previous vintage. It shows tobacco and cigar smoke and touches of autumn leaves, but it (again) needs more fruit concentration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine acidity. It's a bit conservative compared to its peers, but like the previous vintage, it finishes positively with freshness and insistent grip, plus a fine black pepper note on the aftertaste. Drink now and over the next decade. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Pale garnet with brick at the rim. Light and easy on the nose. Red fruit with a leafy note. Supple and sweet on attack but then fades. Slightly drying finish. Unlikely to improve further. (JL)
The 2012 Gruaud Larose has an open nose with blackberry, briary, cedar aromas and just a slight minty character that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fleshy and grippy, quite sweet towards the sensual finish with a pleasing long aftertaste. There is a roundness and uncommon plumpness for a 2012 Saint-Julien, and as such, it represents one of the appellation's more drinkable wines at this stage. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
About the producer
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. It is often considered one of the best-value Left Bank estates, with the wines occasionally matching those of the First Growths.