Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2016

The 2016 Gruaud Larose has a beautiful nose that is much more pure than the vintages from the noughties. It's well-defined with blackberry, blueberry and crushed violet scents. This is much more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, supple and poised, with a gentle build in the mouth, but, to use a word I wrote before, there is something sedate about this Gruaud; it doesn’t want to create too much fuss. Lovely. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.

• Drinking Window: 2026 - 2056
• Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
• Review Date: March 2024