Château Gruaud Larose Cordier Grand Cru Classé (1985)

About this wine

The 1985 Château Gruaud Larose from Saint-Julien offers a complex bouquet of truffle, tobacco, spice box, licorice, blackberry, cedar wood, and smoke. On the palate, it is smooth and round, with a touch of dust in the tannins, leading to a sweet and sour cherry finish. This wine is fully mature, showcasing the elegance and depth characteristic of its vintage. The 1985 vintage is noted for its balance and finesse, making it a standout year for Bordeaux wines. Château Gruaud Larose, classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, has a history dating back to 1725, reflecting its longstanding reputation for quality wines.

About the grape

Château Gruaud Larose, located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, cultivates a blend of grape varieties that contribute to the complexity of its wines. The vineyard is planted with approximately 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape, thrives in the gravelly soils of the region, providing structure and aging potential. Merlot adds softness and roundness, balancing the tannic nature of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc introduces aromatic complexity and subtle spice notes, while Petit Verdot, though used in smaller quantities, contributes deep color and additional tannins, enhancing the wine's depth. This combination of grape varieties, each with its unique characteristics, is carefully cultivated to create the distinctive profile of Château Gruaud Larose wines.

Quick facts

• 🏰 Château Gruaud Larose was established in 1725 by Joseph Stanislas Gruaud, and its name was later expanded to include 'Larose' by his descendant, Joseph Sébastien de La Rose, in 1791.
• 👑 The estate's motto, 'Le Roi des Vins, le Vin des Rois' ('The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings'), reflects its esteemed reputation among Bordeaux wines.
• 🍷 The 1985 vintage of Château Gruaud Larose is noted for its mature appearance with a light brick rim, offering aromas of dates, cedar, pencil shavings, and walnuts, and is described as fleshy, well-balanced, and drinking beautifully.
• 🍇 The vineyard spans 82 hectares and is planted with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, contributing to the wine's complexity and aging potential.
• 🌩️ Château Gruaud Larose is one of the few Bordeaux estates equipped with a hail reduction cannon, which uses shock waves to break up hailstones and protect the vines.

Palate profile

Producer

Château Gruaud Larose, established in 1725 by Joseph Stanislas Gruaud, is a historic winery located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. The estate was later inherited by his nephew, Chevalier de Larose, who expanded its reputation. In 1855, it was classified as a Second Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, recognizing its exceptional quality. The Merlaut family acquired the château in 1997 and has since implemented organic and biodynamic farming practices, achieving organic certification in 2022. Notably, the estate features a distinctive tower built in 1740, originally used to signal the quality of the harvest to potential buyers.