CHÂTEAU GRUAUD LAROSE
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Why Buy: Their best vintages – like the 98-point, 95-point, and 94-point trio we bring you today, in this back-vintage Bordeaux bonanza – are Second Growth in name only; they drink like First Growths, and (as these three amply demonstrate) age like them, too. Also? They represent some of the best values in all of Bordeaux.
What They're Saying: Jane Anson reviewed both the 2005 and 1995, awarding 98 points to the former ("exceptionally-well balanced ... utterly spellbinding ... brilliant") and 94 to the latter ("delicate finely-boned tannins ... caressing," a wine of "finesse and balance"). Writing about the 2000, Wine Spectator opined that it "may be the best wine made there since 1945."
The Story: This grand estate – whose roots stretch all the way back to 1725, when Joseph Stanislass Gruaud, a knight, first tilled the land – has witnessed many heydays, from its late-18th century popularity with the king and his court to, more recently, the four-decade stretch between the mid-1940s and the mid-1980s, which saw a number of extraordinary vintages ('61, '82, '86). Under the ownership of the Taillan Group, Gruaud is riding another wave of excellence, with collectors from around the globe eagerly awaiting each new release.
Our Tasting Notes: Reviewing these back to back to back was thrilling: from the gorgeously textured 1995, which has aged like a champ, to the sublime majesty of the 2000, to the drop-dead stunning 2005, a potential all-timer.
The Specs: Cabernet Sauvignon is predominant in the blend, with Merlot making up a third of the proportion and Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec in trace amounts.
ABV: 1995 vintage, 12.5%; 2000 vintage, 12.5%; 2005 vintage, 13%.
Fun Fact: Gruaud has a "hail prevention cannon" on its premises, a device that uses sonar to break up incoming stones.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in 8-12 Weeks. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NJ, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2023.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
