Chateau Gruaud Larose was established in the 18th century in the commune of Saint-Julien, when Joseph Stanislas Gruaud united three of his estates under the name of “Fonbedeau”, also called Gruaud. He left the property upon his death to Monsieur de Larose, and in 1781 the name of the new owner was added to that of its predecessor.

When Monsieur de Larose died, the estate was divided among his heirs and the property was split into separate estates. Desire Cordier bought the first two shares, and in 1935 bought the last remaining estate. The property was then reconstituted covering 137 hectares of which 68 are under vine. The company changed hands in 1982, 1993, and again in 1997, when the Merlaut family, already owners of several Medoc cru estates, bought Gruaud Larose.

Today, the Gruaud Larose vineyard is composed of the noble Bordeaux varieties, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). The average age of the vines of Gruaud Larose is about forty years, although the most ancient of these are nearly 100 years old.

This is a classic style from the Saint Julien appellation which was ranked a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The vines are planted on 82 hectares of Garonne gravel. Grapes are handpicked and matured for 16-18 months in French, fine grain, oak barrels. Annual production of the grand vin averages around 150,000 bottles.

The 2021 Gruaud Larose, a Bordeaux blend from St Julien, Bordeaux, France, offers a compelling mix of classic and modern elements. Renowned producer Gruaud Larose crafted this wine with a blend predominantly comprising 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine is sealed with a cork closure, preserving its integrity for long-term aging.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through William Kelley, awarded this wine a score of 94, praising its "aromas of sweet wild berries, plums, violets and cigar wrapper." Kelley notes the wine's "medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety" character, emphasizing its "good depth at the core, supple tannins and lively acids."

Jane Anson, writing for janeanson.com, also rated the wine 94 points. She highlights the "crayon and pencil lead on the opening beats, with grilled spice and black fruit." Anson describes the wine as having a "savoury, cool vintage character," noting its balanced St Julien personality and consistency with the En Primeur tasting. She also mentions the wine's 95% new oak aging and its status as the last year of organic conversion.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the wine a slightly lower score of 93, describing it as "classically styled, firm, bright, crisp and almost racy." He emphasizes the "bright, red currants, blackberries and cherries" with a "savory, peppery edge." Leve suggests the wine will drink best from 2027-2055.

Decanter offered one of the highest scores at 95, describing the wine's "black peppercorns, tobacco, ash, vanilla, cinnamon and cedar spice." They highlight its "gorgeous mouthfeel," noting that the tannins are "plump, not heavy or opulent but filling and ripe." The review mentions the wine's "smooth, sleek texture with concentration" and its "promise for long aging."

Antonio Galloni from Vinous also rated it 94 points, calling it "a wine of pure breeding and stature." He describes the wine's "sepia-toned fruit, spice, new leather, licorice, gravel, dried herbs, pencil shavings and incense," noting its "pliant and expansive" nature in the glass.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent echoes this sentiment with another 94-point review, praising its "vibrant notes of kirsch, juicy raspberries, and fresh blackcurrants" along with "violets, licorice, and wild sage plus a touch of pencil lead." She highlights the wine's "lovely harmony" and "fine-grained tannins."

Jeb Dunnuck, with a score of 91, notes the wine's "concentrated and medium-bodied" profile with "black cherry and redcurrant fruit" and "subtle tobacco and graphite-laced aromas and flavors." He emphasizes its "overall balance" and suggests it needs "just 2-4 years in the cellar" to reach its potential.

In summary, the 2021 Gruaud Larose is a well-reviewed, complex Bordeaux blend with notes of berries, spice, and earthy undertones. It promises good aging potential and balance, making it a noteworthy addition to any cellar.