Gruaud Larose 2025 (3L)

94-96 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, cassis, plums mingled with hints of violet and pencil shavings, the 2025 Gruaud Larose is medium- to full-bodied, supple and suave, with a deep core of fruit, lovely energy and ripe, powdery tannins. Checking in at 13.5% alcohol, this blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc will bear a special gold label to commemorate the estate's 300th anniversary." 04/26

95-97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2025 Gruaud Larose is rich, ample and exotic right out of the gate. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, licorice, mocha and lavender are all dialed up. The 2025 has a lot to offer, but will need a number of years to be at its finest. There's a lot of wine here. Even with all its intensity, the tannins show no signs of stress. All the 2025 needs is a lot of time in the cellar to shed its considerable baby fat." 04/26

93 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "Such fragrant and explosive aromatics, full of violets and freshly picked flowers with really ripe blackcurrants. Such a vibrant colour in the glass too – a bright pink colour, really vivid. Succulent and so juicy with a lovely zing of cranberry acidity but backed by a cool blueberry, almost creamy and chalky texture. Amazing energy to this, really fleshy and lifted but at the same time there’s plenty of fruit and power. 3.69pH. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend." 03/26

97-99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with spring flowers, graphite, tobacco leaf, and spicy wood all emerge from the 2025 Château Gruaud Larose, a deep purple-hued Saint-Julien based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that's resting in 80% new French oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks with its sheer class and purity. Full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, graceful mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish, all grounded by a remarkable sense of balance and elegance. It checks in at 13.47% alcohol with a pH of 3.71. This is a heavenly Saint-Julien that brings the richness of the vintage alongside an unmistakable sense of class. Bravo!" 05/26

95 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux: "You get the tannic grip of the vintage in spades, but as you sit with the wine, a creaminess appears through the mid palate that is highly appealing, with a cocoa bean and espresso lick alongside berry fruits, crayon and graphite. Smoky signoff on the finish right now, will integrate over ageing, a ton of potential here, great quality. 75% new oak. Virginie Sallette 8th vintage, a lovely expression of Gruaud. Harvest September 3 to 20. 3.71 pH" 04/26