Chateau Gruaud Larose was established in the 18th century in the commune of Saint-Julien, when Joseph Stanislas Gruaud united three of his estates under the name of “Fonbedeau”, also called Gruaud. He left the property upon his death to Monsieur de Larose, and in 1781 the name of the new owner was added to that of its predecessor.

When Monsieur de Larose died, the estate was divided among his heirs and the property was split into separate estates. Desire Cordier bought the first two shares, and in 1935 bought the last remaining estate. The property was then reconstituted covering 137 hectares of which 68 are under vine. The company changed hands in 1982, 1993, and again in 1997, when the Merlaut family, already owners of several Medoc cru estates, bought Gruaud Larose.

Today, the Gruaud Larose vineyard is composed of the noble Bordeaux varieties, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). The average age of the vines of Gruaud Larose is about forty years, although the most ancient of these are nearly 100 years old.

This is a classic style from the Saint Julien appellation which was ranked a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The vines are planted on 82 hectares of Garonne gravel. Grapes are handpicked and matured for 16-18 months in French, fine grain, oak barrels. Annual production of the grand vin averages around 150,000 bottles.

The 2023 Gruaud Larose Bordeaux Blend, produced by Gruaud Larose in the St Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France, offers a compelling representation of its vintage. This red wine, sealed with a traditional cork, presents a deep and vibrant hue that captures the eye.

Vinous' Antonio Galloni awards the wine a score of 96 points, describing it as a "powerhouse." He notes its rich, ample structure and striking depth, highlighting flavors of black cherry, blackberry, licorice, and spice. Galloni emphasizes the wine's potential for aging, stating, "The 2023 is a big, potent Gruaud Larose that will need a number of years to be at its best."

Jane Anson echoes these sentiments, giving it a score of 95 points. She describes its "vibrant colour" and "bright acidities," pointing out the serious, sinewy nature of the Cabernets. Anson mentions the wine's floral notes and significant aging potential, although she suggests it won't require an extended wait to enjoy. She also notes the high Cabernet content, over 80%, which results from the estate's recent replanting efforts.

Decanter provides an excellent review with a score of 97 points, calling it a "complete knockout of a wine in 2023." They praise its deep, vibrant purple color, milk chocolate, exotic spices, and floral scents. The wine's texture is described as "thick silk and ripe fruit," with integrated tannins and a seamless expression. Decanter highlights its juiciness, succulent cherry, blackcurrant, and blueberry flavors, emphasizing its balance and drinkability.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com scores it 95 points, noting its complex perfume of tobacco leaf, cedar, red and black currants, wet earth, smoke, and blackberries. He describes the palate as "bright, fresh, juicy, classic, firm, crisp, and chewy," with spicy berry layers. Leve recommends giving the wine some time to mature in the bottle, predicting it will improve further.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Independent also scores it 96 points. She highlights its deep garnet-purple color and vibrant notes of cassis, blackberries, and mulberries, with nuances of tapenade, iris, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The palate is described as "light-bodied and airy," with "beautiful poise and soft silky tannins."

Overall, the 2023 Gruaud Larose is a well-crafted Bordeaux Blend with significant aging potential, vibrant flavors, and a balanced, structured profile.