Region: Saint-Julien, France

Vintage: 2019

Composition: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, & 7% Petit Verdot

History: Gruaud Larose has always tried to value man’s role in creating its elixir, both in his work and in the bond established with the vineyard. The vine stocks and the grapes are nothing without man, without these makers of Crus, from the most modest to the most powerful. Since its creation in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud & Larose families, the Balguerie and Sargent families, the Cordier family, and the Merlaut family. This family attachment has been passed on from father to son and mother to daughter to the employees who often work at the Château.

Tasting Notes:

“The 2019 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose has a well-defined bouquet with tertiary red berry fruit, understated initially but gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite tarry, with a fair proportion of tobacco and black pepper on the finish. There is quite a lot going on in this wine, and it should age well in a bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.” – Neal Martin (Vinous)