(97 + points) Gruaud Larose 2015 is medium to deep garnet in color. It leaps out of the glass with notes of crushed black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and juicy blackberries plus suggestions of violets, camphor, and black truffles. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and intense with fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support it, finishing long and perfumed. Impressive.

Concentrated and elegant with a great harmony of dry tannins and ripeness (but no hint of overripeness), this has a long finish with a lot of drive and enormous freshness. You could drink this now with red meat, but it’s got decades ahead of it.

The ripe fruit that is a hallmark of this vintage at this estate has been maintained along with solid tannins and richness. This has both tannins and concentration although the fruit is the thing, making a wine that will develop relatively quickly. Drink from 2023.

Excellent depth and complexity of fruit on the attack, with just a touch of austerity as it travels through the palate. After a few minutes, the fleshy fruit aromatics break though. This is elegant and balanced, a classic, old-school St-Julien. 80% new oak. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-gruaud-larose-st-julien-2eme-cru-classe-2015-15473#Uz1KMZXQkRoodEpJ.99

Dark ruby in colour, this has really come into its own over the past 6 years, proving wrong those who underestimated it during En Primeur. Emphasis right now on creamy dark fruits that envovlop everything, with real volume through the mid palate and a slow build along with sinewy tannins that grip the front of the mouth. This has so much potential, and I suggest still giving it another three or four years. 90% new oak (a big jump up from the 2010), harvset September 29 to October 15. The improvements brought by the vineyard restructing programme, that had begun in 2008, were starting to be felt at this point.

The 2015 Château Gruaud Larose, from a bottle purchased in the US, checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc that was harvested all in September. A beautiful wine, it has an almost Pauillac bouquet of blackcurrants, truffle, cedar pencil, and tobacco leaf, with an alluring, meaty, forest floor-like character that develops with time in the glass. This ripe, powerful 2015 stays balanced and in check, with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, present tannins, and a good finish. As with many 2015s, it’s already hard to resist yet should hit true prime time in another 4-5 years and I suspect evolve for 20-25 years.

93+ Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Gruaud Larose simply sparkles with bright, vibrant red cherries, ripe raspberries and fresh black currants notes with underlying suggestions of cinnamon stick, rose petals, fallen leaves and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied and possessing tightly wound red and black fruits layers intermingled with spicy accents, it has a firm, grainy frame and great vivacity, finishing long and perfumed. I'm probably being too conservative with my score here and expect this could blossom in 4-6 years into an even more impressive beauty! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Medium/full bodied, elegant, fresh, tobacco and cedar tinged, the ripe, dark red fruits are forward. The tannins have a softness, making the wine seem already approachable. But patience will be rewarded, as time will add complexities and nuances to the wine. Give it at least another decade or longer before popping a cork. The wine was made from blending 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 9% Cabernet. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2015&wine=Chateau%20Gruaud%20Larose

The 2015 Gruaud Larose has an expressive nose, with mainly red fruit (raspberry and cranberry) mixed with cedar and light graphite scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is fleshy compared to its peers and lightly spiced with a harmonious, very Saint-Julien finish. Recommended and at 13% alcohol, this is lower than many other Grand Cru Classé. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners. -- Neal Martin

This has a serious graphite spine, along with beautiful beams of black currant, bitter plum and blackberry paste flavors. Dried anise, black tea and licorice snap notes lurk in the background. The finish is long and gilded with a violet accent. Best from 2021 through 2035. 13,343 cases made. — JM