Château Gruaud Larose 2024

Brilliant ruby red; very restrained on the nose—still waters run deep—sour cherries, marzipan, dried herbs, floral notes; on the palate lively, structured and elegant, fine tannins, red-berried fruit, salty finish. A pleasantly light-footed Guraud, very much in the style of the vintage, built for mid-term ageing.

Fresh blueberries and blackcurrants on the nose, smells delicate and nicely aromatic. Concentrated for sure, this has an intense flavour of cherries, strawberries and plums with really massy tannins but that are so cool and fresh. Light on its feet, definitely not pushed too hard, a little quiet and shy maybe, but lovely definition to the tannins. Some juiciness but a little soft from the mid palate onwards in terms of fruit although it keeps an aromatic intensity with cola, liquorice and slate. Well made, this isn't trying too hard and will be great to drink early. 40% grand vin. Ageing 95% new oak barrels for 18 months. 3.77pH.

Flowers, boysenberries, raspberries, and cigar box aromatics open the wine. The wine is bright, with notes of chocolate, cherries, currants, spices, mocha, and a refreshing touch of mint providing freshness in the mid-palate through to the finish. The wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 12.39% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place September 27 - October 8. Drink from 2029-2050. 92-94 pts

A refined, spicy, captivating bouquet with darker notes of cedar and charcoal. The palate is sleek, fine, and linear. The fruit expresses itself with precision and delicacy, without excessive acidity, within a subtle floral framework (tulips, iris), structured by silky tannins.

The nose is fruity, floral, elegant, airy, offering lovely grain finesse, refined intensity, precision, and a charming three-dimensional/multi‑layered character. It reveals notes of pulpy Boysenberry, fleshy blackcurrant, and, more subtly, bright blue fruits, combined with touches of distinctive, terroir‑driven minerality, fine floral hints, and a touch of cinnamon and spices. The palate is fruity, balanced, chiselled, racy, offering juiciness, a mineral backbone, suppleness, freshness, lovely definition, beautiful clarity, vibrant energy, and tension. A fine, caressing feel, yet all in freshness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, violet, and, more subtly, bright/fresh small red berries, joined by hints of flint/gravels with a racy edge, flickers of bright red fruits, a touch of radiant Charlotte strawberry, and a discreet hint of toast and tobacco. Good length. A charming, slight chew on the finish. A lovely Bigarreau cherry note.

Gorgeous dark ruby colour with vivid reflections, slow and steady reveal of grilled earth, savoury rose bud, peony, black tea and floral Cabernet finesse. This is a little softer than the recent exceptional vintages of Gruaud, but the fragrant aromatics have a ton of charm, and this shows skilful construction. Harvest 27 September to 8 October, 3.55pH, 31hl/h yield, slap bang on the appellation average, organic certified. 40% of production in this 1st wine. 95% new oak for ageing.

Dark, intense, vibrant colour. A highly aromatic nose—refined, pure and fruity. Delicate on the attack, delicious through the mid-palate, with real flavour and a melting texture; the wine carries through to a long finish that is fragrant and delicate. This is very good. Note how the modest alcohol level in no way detracts from the wine’s density. To be read in connection with my first article on the vintage, in which I discuss the separate lots of Château Margaux 2024. Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 12.5%. Yield: 30 hl/ha.