Winemaker and vineyard : Since its creation in 1725, four families have succeeded each other at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud & Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family and the Merlaut family. Located in the heart of the Médoc, the terroir benefits from a microclimate particularly conducive to the expression of the vine. The nature of the soil limits the restitution of rainwater and the summer period, very hot and dry from July to September, is decisive for a good veraison, a good maturation and a satisfactory transfer between the root system and the grape. The soil is humus, clay, sand and pebbles forgotten by the river. The subsoil is red, yellow or blue clay, then sand and more rolled pebbles, those of the Pyrenean diluvium. The gravel prevents the earth from being a compact, asphyxiating, blind mass. The entire Ice Age is embodied in these mineral landscapes.

Tasting : The 2014 Gruaud Larose has a light and airy bouquet at first, one that gathers depth with aeration. It is a little conservative at the moment, dusky black fruit mixed with sage and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, slightly angular tannin. It is certainly fresh in the mouth, although it feels a tad pinched towards the finish; therefore, afford this 4-5 years in bottle to develop more substance and ambition. robertparker.com (03.31.2017)

Service : Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a grilled rib of beef with thyme and rosemary.