2023 Château Gruaud Larose

Cassis, graphite, sappy tobacco, damp earth, and violets all emerge from the 2023 Château Gruaud Larose, a classic, quintessential Saint-Julien that ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc and aged 18 months in 95% new French oak, it's medium-bodied and nicely concentrated on the palate, with integrated tannins and acidity, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This rock-solid effort will hit maturity around age 10 and have 30 years of overall prime drinking. Drink 2033-2066.

The 2023 Gruaud Larose is silky, deep and exquisite. It's a wine of superb balance and class. Plush contours and wonderfully vibrant fruit are the signatures. Crème de cassis, chocolate, new leather and lavender kiss of French oak play off a core of dark-fleshed fruit. Gruaud Larose is one of the most expressive wines in Saint-Julien.

The 2023 Gruaud Larose, matured in 95% new oak for 18 months, has an attractive bouquet marked by pure black fruit laced with pressed iris and peony, a touch of clove in the background. Fine delineation, and the oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins, with hints of tea leaves. Not a huge amount of grip, but this is very harmonious. Lightly spiced with cedar and tobacco notes toward the “cool” red berry finish, this is a typical contemporary Gruaud Larose that will need just four to five years before it is ready to drink.