Chateau Gruaud Larose 2010
Chateau Gruaud Larose 2010 is an interesting producer in the Saint Julien appellation. Over the centuries, let alone recent history, like many estates, its had its ups and downs. For some unknown reason, the wines lack consistency. 1961 Gruaud Larose is stunning! But you need to jump ahead 20 years before Gruaud Larose made another great wine.
1982 Gruaud Larose is one of the great wines from the legendary vintage! The decade of the 1980’s was good for Gruaud Larose, but after that decade, it took more than another decade before they produced another great wine, which took place in 2000.
For many years Gruaud-Larose was owned by the négociants Cordier, who also own Château Talbot. It was sold in 1993 to the French conglomerate, Alcastel Alstom, which in turn sold it to the Taillan Group, owners of Chasse-Spleen and Haut-Bages-Libéral, in 1997. The talented Georges Pauli has remained as régisseur and winemaker throughout all these changes.
Fans of Gruaud Larose were forced to wait again for the next great vintage. This continued lack of consistency hurts the image of Gruaud Larose in the marketplace. But for Bordeaux wine lovers who appreciate the wines of Gruaud Larose, that lack of consistency helps keep prices down.
Gruaud Larose has a long history in the Saint Julien appellation that dates back to the days when the property was first owned by a knight known as Joseph Stanislas Gruaud. Two more members of the Gruaud family were also important factors in the birth of Gruaud Larose, one was a judge, the other was a priest.
The 82 hectare Saint Julien vineyard of Gruaud Larose is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. This shows a change in the vineyards, with more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
It is the goal of the estate to eventually reach 70% Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard. The vineyard of Gruaud Larose is unique as they have one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux with most of their vines one single block.
