chateau gruaud larose 2022

château gruaud larose is a prestigious winery located in the saint-julien appellation of the bordeaux region in france. it holds the classification of deuxième cru (second growth) in the bordeaux wine official classification of 1855, which is a testament to its historical significance and quality. the estate has a long and storied history that dates back to the 18th century when it was founded by chevalier de gruaud. later, the property was divided into two, giving rise to château gruaud larose-sarget and château gruaud larose-faure. however, in 1997, the two estates were reunited under the ownership of the merlaut family, who have been instrumental in revitalizing and maintaining the winery's reputation for producing exceptional wines. the vineyards of château gruaud larose span over 80 hectares (198 acres) and are planted with predominantly cabernet sauvignon, complemented by merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. the terroir consists of gravelly soils mixed with sand and clay, which contribute to the wines' complexity and elegance. the winemaking at château gruaud larose is a combination of traditional and modern techniques. the grapes are carefully hand-harvested and sorted to ensure only the finest fruit makes it into the winemaking process. fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavors and tannins. after fermentation, the wines of château gruaud larose are aged in oak barrels for an average of 18-20 months. this oak aging process adds further depth and complexity to the wines, integrating the flavors and enhancing their structure. the final blend is meticulously crafted to showcase the unique characteristics of the estate's terroir. the wines of château gruaud larose are known for their power, elegance, and longevity. they exhibit aromas of ripe black fruits, cassis, cedar, spices, and sometimes a hint of tobacco. on the palate, these wines are rich and full-bodied, with firm tannins and a harmonious balance between fruit, acidity, and oak influence. with proper cellaring, they can evolve and improve for several decades, rewarding those who appreciate aged bordeaux wines. château gruaud larose is recognized as one of the leading producers in the saint-julien appellation, consistently delivering wines of exceptional quality that exemplify the characteristics of this renowned bordeaux region. the progress at this estate continues with the terrific 2022 gruaud larose, a blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot and 3% cabernet franc that unfurls in the glass with deep aromas of minty blackberries, violets and pencil shavings. medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's elegantly muscular, with a broad attack that segues into a concentrated mid-palate framed by supple, powdery tannins. richer and more brooding than its 2020 and 2019 counterparts, it confirms gruaud's return to the saint-julien élite. around one-third of the production made it into the grand vin this year, the château's first with organic certification.