2021 CHÂTEAU GRUAUD-LAROSE (SUBSKRIPTION)

»Black peppercorns, tobacco, ash, vanilla, cinnamon and cedar spice. A gorgeous mouthfeel straight away, the tannins so plump, not heavy or opulent but filling and ripe. This has a charming gentle aspect - a smooth, sleek texture with concentration. Supple and agile, there is lots of energy here, filled with red fruit flavours that have a delicate, sweet liquorice edge. Acidity does not overtake the fruit at all, just lifts the palate all the way through. Excellent work, immensely pleasurable, well framed with promise for long ageing. More Cabernet in the blend than usual. Ageing 14 months in French oak barrels, 15% new, the rest one year old.«

Das renommierte britische Weinmagazin Decanter wurde 1975 gegründet und ist die älteste Weinveröffentlichung für Verbraucher in Großbritannien. Heute ist sie ganz einfach die weltweit führende Weinmedienmarke.

»The 2021 Gruaud Larose is very impressive, exhibiting deep aromas of wild berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of licorice, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's impressively rich and layered, with lively acids and ripe tannins, it concludes with a pure and penetrating finish. Classically balanced and intensely flavored, it's an elegant, beautifully made wine that is well worth seeking out. Three beautiful parcels of recently planted Cabernet Sauvignon, situated on deep gravel ideally adapted to this variety but hitherto planted with Merlot, make a contribution to the blend this year; but that's only one of the factors that explain why Gruaud has produced a 2021 that looks set to rival or surpass even recent and more propitious vintages such as 2018. The blend is fully 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 12% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and it checks in at 12.5% alcohol. Congratulations are in order for technical director Virginie Sallette and the entire team at Gruaud Larose! «

Der Wine Advocate ist eine seit 1971 erscheinende Weinzeitschrift. Der Initiator war der einflussreichste Journalist und Weinkritiker Robert Parker, welcher seit Mai 2019 im Ruhestand ist, jedoch revolutionierte er die Standards mit seinem weltweit bekannten 100 Punkte Bewertungssystem. Getestet werden Weine aus 28 Ländern und aus über 500 Weinregionen weltweit.