Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé 2015 - MAGNUM - Parker 93+

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 : Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Gruaud Larose simply sparkles with bright, vibrant red cherries, ripe raspberries and fresh black currants notes with underlying suggestions of cinnamon stick, rose petals, fallen leaves and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied and possessing tightly wound red and black fruits layers intermingled with spicy accents, it has a firm, grainy frame and great vivacity, finishing long and perfumed. I'm probably being too conservative with my score here and expect this could blossom in 4-6 years into an even more impressive beauty! robertparker.com (02.21.2018)

Service : Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany Cantal, aged Mimolette, Morbier, Saint-Nectaire and Savoie Tomme.