Château Gruaud-Larose
シャトー・グリュオー・ラローズ
1855 Second Growth (2ème Cru Classé) from Saint-Julien with a 300-year history. Famous for the motto 'King of Wines, Wine of Kings' embossed on every label. The estate's uniquely clay-rich terroir yields the most powerful and structured wine in Saint-Julien. Owned by the Merlaut family since 1997, now biodynamically farmed and organically certified (2022 vintage). 82ha planted with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged 18–24 months in 85% new French oak. Outstanding ageing potential of 15–35 years.
Château Gruaud-Larose is a historic Second Growth (2ème Cru Classé) estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Médoc, Bordeaux, classified in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The estate's origins date to 1725 when Catholic priest Joseph Stanislas Gruaud acquired 50 hectares and began planting vines. Upon his death in 1781, his nephew Chevalier de Larose inherited and expanded the vineyard to 80 hectares, lending his name to the château. The wine gained royal favour and the motto 'Le Roi des Vins, Le Vin des Rois' (King of Wines, The Wine of Kings) was coined — a phrase still embossed on the label today, encircling a heraldic crest featuring two lions (referencing Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England), a sailing ship, and grape bunches flanked by anchors. After a 19th-century split into two entities (Gruaud-Larose Sarget and Gruaud-Larose Bethmann), the estate was reunited by the Cordier family in 1935. In 1997, the Merlaut family (Taillan Group) acquired the château, ushering in a new era of investment in quality. Today the 82-hectare vineyard is planted with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The estate is notable for having more clay in its terroir than any other Saint-Julien property — a characteristic that imparts exceptional body and structure. The château received organic certification with the 2022 vintage and has been biodynamic since 2019. The second wine, Sarget de Gruaud-Larose, was introduced in 1981.
www.gruaud-larose.com ↗Cuvées
シャトー・グリュオ・ラローズ
Château Gruaud-Larose
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
The Grand Vin of Château Gruaud-Larose, a prestigious Second Growth (Deuxième Cru) in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. Crafted from 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, it embodies the estate's motto 'Le Roi des Vins, le Vin des Rois' (The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings). The wine is characterized by remarkable longevity, power, and complexity, with deep gravel soils allowing perfect Cabernet Sauvignon ripening. Since biodynamic certification in 2019, wines show greater precision and vibrancy alongside the estate's traditional opulence.
サルジェ・ド・グリュオ・ラローズ
Sarget de Gruaud-Larose
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
Sarget de Gruaud-Larose is the second wine of the prestigious Second Growth Château Gruaud-Larose, located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. First produced in the 1981 vintage, it is crafted primarily from the estate's younger vines and reflects the same meticulous viticultural practices and winemaking philosophy as the Grand Vin. The wine typically delivers a refined expression of the Saint-Julien terroir, characterised by elegance, structured tannins, and a complex aromatic profile of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and subtle graphite. It provides an accessible entry point to the estate's style, offering earlier drinkability while maintaining the classic Bordeaux pedigree.
Who Is This For?
Ideal for serious Bordeaux enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate classically structured, age-worthy red wines. Perfect for those who enjoy full-bodied wines with layers of black fruit, leather, tobacco, and spice that reward long cellaring. A benchmark choice for lovers of traditional Saint-Julien style that sits between Pauillac's power and Margaux's elegance. Also an excellent choice for wine investors seeking recognised 1855 Second Growth pedigree at accessible prices relative to First Growths.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Château Gruaud-Larose's terroir unique within Saint-Julien?
- Gruaud-Larose sits on an inland plateau and has more clay in its soil than any other Saint-Julien estate. This clay-rich terroir — a mix of pebbles, gravel, humus, and clay — retains moisture and gives the wine exceptional body, density, and longevity, making it arguably the most powerful and structured wine of the appellation.
- When is the best time to drink Château Gruaud-Larose?
- Gruaud-Larose is not a wine for early drinking — it is typically too tannic and closed in its youth. Young vintages benefit from 2–4 hours of decanting. In good vintages, the wine enters its peak drinking window between 12 and 25 years after harvest, with top vintages capable of ageing 30–50 years. The 1982 is still drinking superbly today.
- What does the label motto 'Le Roi des Vins, Le Vin des Rois' mean?
- It translates as 'King of Wines, The Wine of Kings.' The motto was coined when the wine gained favour among European royalty in the 18th century under proprietor Joseph Sébastien de La Rose. It has been proudly displayed on the label ever since and remains central to the château's identity.
- Is Château Gruaud-Larose farmed organically or biodynamically?
- Yes. The estate began transitioning to biodynamic farming in 2019 and received full organic certification with its 2022 vintage. The team uses herbal teas and trace minerals as alternatives to pesticides, practices water recycling, and uses a sonic hail cannon to protect the vines — no synthetic pesticides have been used since the 1990s.
- What is Sarget de Gruaud-Larose?
- Sarget de Gruaud-Larose is the château's second wine, introduced from the 1981 vintage. It is made from grapes deemed below the Grand Vin standard and named in homage to the Sarget family, early proprietors of the estate. It offers excellent value and approachability, with production of roughly 150,000–200,000 bottles per year compared to around 450,000 bottles of the Grand Vin.