Château Gruaud Larose 2025 is the Saint‑Julien second growth’s new grand vin release, and it arrives in a commemorative guise: multiple critics note a “special” label marking the estate’s 300th anniversary, founded in 1725. Under the Merlaut family’s ownership (since 1997), the château has pushed sustainability and has been certified organic since 2022. The vineyard is a single 82‑hectare block on gravelly soils, a classic setup for structured, Cabernet-led Médoc.
The 2025 is clearly built around Cabernet Sauvignon, and several reviewers agree on the blend at 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate; Jeb Dunnuck; Winedoctor). Alcohol is reported around 13.5% (Wine Advocate notes 13.5%; Dunnuck and Winedoctor cite 13.47%), with a pH of 3.71 (Anson, Dunnuck, Decanter, Drinks Business, Winedoctor). Reported yields were low at 26 hl/ha (Decanter; Winedoctor; Drinks Business), and harvest ran September 3–20 (Anson; Winedoctor). In élevage, new oak is significant but described variously at 75% (Jane Anson), 80% (Jeb Dunnuck), with Decanter also noting “11% press wine (all from Cabernet).”
Stylistically, critics converge on depth, polish, and a distinctly floral Saint‑Julien perfume. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) calls it “rich, ample and exotic right out of the gate,” with “dark-toned fruit, graphite, licorice, mocha and lavender,” adding that “the tannins show no signs of stress” but it “will need a number of years to be at its finest.” William Kelley (Wine Advocate) highlights “dark berries, cassis, plums… violet and pencil shavings,” describing a “supple and suave” palate with “ripe, powdery tannins.”
Several reviews are excellent. Jeb Dunnuck’s 97–99 is emphatic—“stopped me in my tracks with its sheer class and purity”—while Winedoctor goes further at 97–100, calling it “clearly cut from the same cloth” as a young 2000 Gruaud Larose. Decanter (96) underlines “precision… concentration and intensity,” and Jane Anson (95) finds “a creaminess… highly appealing,” pointing to strong potential as the wine integrates with age.
