Chateau Gruaud Larose 2014

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2014 Gruaud Larose has a sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, minerals, raspberry coulis and cedar aromas that waft generously from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, crisp and focused with impressive density in the mouth. It is grippy and assertive; clearly a Saint Julien predesigned for long-term ageing, with a precise finish that bodes well for the future. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting."

DECANTER: "Fragrant and floral fruit at the start, less weighty than in the past, with fine sweetness on the mid-palate. Much more complexity to come. Drinking Window 2019 - 2030"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of strawberries and cherries follow through to a full body, silky tannins and a tangy finish. Fresh and clean. Linear and pretty. Purity of fruit is impressive. Drink in 2020."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Smudgy crimson. Already some evolved perfume. Everything nicely and appetisingly in its place with a massive undertow and lots of tannin but not aggressive. Impressive."

JEB DUNNUCK: "While I wasn’t able to taste the 2015, the 2014 Graud Larose is an attractive, classically styled Saint-Julien that has ripe currant fruits as well as lots of herbal/tobacco undertones, cedary spice, and earthy aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied, concentrated, and texture, with a chewy, rustic, endearing style. I like its balance and this old-school beauty will keep for at least 15-20 years."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Sleeping, but with coaxing you find cedar, pepper, cassis and earthy cherries, the wine is classic in nature, with firm tannins and ageworthy red fruits.. The wine was made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2014 Gruaud Larose has a light and airy bouquet at first, one that gathers depth with aeration. It is a little conservative at the moment, dusky black fruit mixed with sage and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, slightly angular tannin. It is certainly fresh in the mouth, although it feels a tad pinched towards the finish; therefore, afford this 4-5 years in bottle to develop more substance and ambition."

WEINWISSER: "58 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Petit Verdot. Produktion: 150'000 Flaschen Grand Vin. Der Zweitwein, der Sarget (Produktion 250'000 Flaschen), war sehr aromatisch mit viel schönem Cabernet-Ausdruck und einer tollen Aromatik. Also war dies bereits ein gutes Omen für den «richtigen Gruaud». Mit 44 hl/ha war das eine gute Ernte. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Faszinierendes Bouquet, die Cabernet-Expression weist eine ganz deutliche, geradlinige Frische auf. Die nasalen Aromen: Cassis, Brombeeren, Zedern, auch einen feinen Hauch von Eukalyptus kann man darin finden. Er vermittelt eine barocke Tiefe sowie ein ziemlich ausgelegtes Aromenfeld. Im Gaumen saftig, sehr elegante Tannine, gut balanciert und fast ein bisschen auf dem femininen Trip. Aber vielleicht hat dieser feminine Touch ja auch etwas mit der neuen Kellermeisterin, Stéphanie Lebaron, zu tun."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine is all about fruit and balanced tannins. It is juicy, so drinkable now, although with enough structure to promise good aging. Perfumed black-currant fruits show strongly. The wine shows how this chateau continues to perform reliably. Drink from 2020."

WINESPECTATOR: "Shows a perfumy hint, with black tea and singed allspice notes out front, followed by a core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit. Light anise and apple wood details fill in on the finish. Supple yet well-packed. Best from 2020 through 2030."