Château Gruaud Larose 2012
Château Gruaud Larose 2012
"The wine of kings, the king of wines" — Gruaud Larose has worn that motto since the eighteenth century, and its greatest vintages have been compared to First Growths by Robert Parker himself. This is one of Saint-Julien's largest and most historic Second Growths, farmed entirely to organic and biodynamic principles across 82 hectares of ancient Garonne gravel, with vines averaging 46 years old.
The estate calls 2012 "one of the most complicated vintages in 10 years" — and the story of this bottle is the story of holding your nerve. A cold spring, water stress in summer, then rain. The Merlot came in early October in very good condition; rather than rush, the team waited for the Cabernets to reach full maturity and picked the good plots in excellent condition, finishing ahead of hard rain on 14 October. The blend that emerged is the most Cabernet-dominant of recent years at 67%, with the Petit Verdot stepping up to 6% for backbone.
Rated 90 points in critic aggregate. Ripe blackberry and cassis, well-integrated oak — restrained here at 40% new barrels, letting the fruit lead — and a velvety texture reviewers compared to the celebrated Gruaud Larose wines of the 1980s. Classic claret for a proper dinner, at a very fair price for the pedigree.
At the table: Roast beef, lamb shoulder, coq au vin, mushroom dishes. Old-school Bordeaux for old-school cooking.
- Saint-Julien, Bordeaux · 2ème Grand Cru Classé, 1855
- Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 27%, Petit Verdot 6%
- Farming: 100% organic and biodynamic · hand-harvested
- Ageing: 18–24 months in French fine-grain oak, 40% new
- Alcohol: 13.46% · Vines: 46 years average age
- Rating: 90/100 critic aggregate
- Drink: now through 2032
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Sommelier's Note
The 2012 Château Gruaud Larose is classic bistro claret, made for coq au vin and beef bourguignon precisely because it was built in that traditional style. Ripe blackberry and cassis with well-integrated oak, structured enough to meet a slow-braised sauce without being overpowered. Old-school Bordeaux for old-school cooking.
Tasting Notes & Specs
Ripe blackberry and cassis with well-integrated toasted oak and a velvety texture. Most Cabernet-dominant blend of recent years. Total acidity 3.35.
Vintage2012
Classification2ème Grand Cru Classé, 1855
BodyFull-bodied
TanninsFirm, Traditional, Structured
Key AromasBlackberry, Cassis, and Toasted Oak
Blend & Terroir
Varietal BlendCabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 27%, Petit Verdot 6%
Alcohol13.46% ABV
Oak Aging18-24 months in French oak, 40% new
TerroirGaronne gravel settled 600,000 years ago; 82 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically.
ViticultureOrganic and Biodynamic
Serving & Care
Serving TemperatureBest served slightly cool at 16°C–18°C (60°F–65°F)
DecantingDecant 60 minutes to soften its traditional frame.
Drinking WindowAt peak maturity now through 2032. Store horizontally in a dark, temperature-controlled environment.
Ideal Pairings
Roast beef, Lamb shoulder, Coq au vin, Mushroom dishes.
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About the Brand
The Estate: 'The wine of kings, the king of wines' — Château Gruaud Larose has carried that motto since the eighteenth century. One of Saint-Julien's most historic Second Growths, farmed entirely organically and biodynamically.
Pairs with your table
French Bistro
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Coq au Vin
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Duck Confit
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Beef Bourguignon
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Cassoulet
The 2012 Château Gruaud Larose is classic bistro claret, made for coq au vin and beef bourguignon precisely because it was built in that traditional style. Farmed organically and biodynamically, it carries ripe blackberry and cassis with well-integrated oak, structured enough to meet a slow-braised sauce without being overpowered by it. This is old-school Bordeaux for old-school cooking — no flash, just the kind of reliable depth a braise has always called for.
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