Château Gruaud Larose 2018

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Gruaud Larose has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It comes barreling out of the glass with powerful scents of blackberry preserves, baked plums and crème de cassis plus hints of fruitcake, Indian spices and tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate offers bags of baked berries flavors and a chewy texture with just enough freshness, finishing spicy. Judging by the slightly rustic tannins and suggestions of dried berry characters, I'm guessing the heat and drought had an impact this year. This said, the wine is very well crafted and delicious right now, although a good 3-4 years in bottle should soften the tannins and bring out further nuances.

James Suckling

Aromas of currants, blackberries, dried flowers, dark chocolate and tobacco leaves. Citrus zest, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, ultra fine tannins. Complex and layered with a juicy core of ripe fruit. Silky and delicious. Very creamy and fine-tannined. Better from 2025.

Jeannie Cho Lee

VertdeVin

The nose is fresh, elegant and offers deepness, a beautiful finesse of grain. This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of pulpy Boysen berry, raspberry and small notes of peony, lily associated with touches of strawberry, fine hints of violet as well as fine hints of cuben pepper, a racy minerality and a very discreet hint of sweet spices. The palate is fruity, juicy and offers a good definition, gourmandize, fullness, suavity, a certain intensity as well as a good balance, power, energy, vivacity, fullness and a racy grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy raspberry, pulpy strawberry and small notes of cherry associated with touches of juicy/pulpy blackberry as well as hints of peony, rose, lily, a racy minerality, discreet hints of mild tobacco, caramelization, a discreet hint of chocolate and pistil/varietal (bring a good bitterness). Hints of oriental spices on the persistence. Tannins are well-built and offer a very fine chewiness.

Falstaff