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Château Gruaud Larose 2008
The spirit of the wine
A classic, mature and structured Saint-Julien, driven by Cabernet Sauvignon, cedar, dark fruit and the earthy depth of Gruaud Larose.
108.00 CHF
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Availability All our wines are physically in stock in Geneva and are available immediately
Provenance & Storage Our wines are stored with the utmost care in our vaulted cellars in Carouge.
Birthdays Wide selection of anniversary vintages from 1924 to the present day
France • Bordeaux • Saint-Julien • Château Gruaud Larose • Second Growth • 2008
Château Gruaud Larose 2008 — Saint-Julien Second Growth
The Château Gruaud Larose 2008 is a classic Saint-Julien from a historic estate classified as a Second Growth in 1855. Less opulent than some of Bordeaux’s warmer vintages, 2008 offers a serious, structured and progressively evolved expression, true to the deep, earthy character of Gruaud Larose.
Driven by Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend now reveals notes of blackcurrant, black plum, dark cherry, cedar, blond tobacco, liquorice, forest floor and gentle spice. The palate remains well held, with tannins still present but softened by bottle age.
Terroir and winemaking
Located in Saint-Julien, Château Gruaud Larose sits on a broad vineyard of Garonne gravel soils, a terroir naturally suited to great Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon. These poor, well-drained soils favour structured, deep wines with strong ageing potential.
The 2008 vintage is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Ageing lasted around 16 months in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of renewed oak, refining the structure while preserving fruit and the classic signature of the estate.
Tasting notes
Appearance: dark ruby with garnet reflections, showing visible evolution while retaining good depth.
Nose: classic and expressive, with blackcurrant, black plum, dark cherry, cedar, liquorice, tobacco, gentle spice and forest-floor notes. With air, nuances of moss, fresh earth and graphite appear.
Palate: medium to full-bodied, structured and upright, with polished but still present tannins. The dark fruit remains clear, supported by fresh acidity, integrated oak and a persistent finish of cedar, liquorice and earthy notes.
Expert reviews
90/100 — Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
90/100 — Wine Spectator
90/100 — Neal Martin
Critics describe the 2008 as a solid and classic Gruaud Larose, less spectacular than the most powerful vintages, but successful in its register: dark fruit, cedar, liquorice, discreet oak, ripe tannins and good ageing capacity.
The 2008 vintage and service
In Bordeaux, 2008 is a classic vintage, marked by slow ripening and fine freshness. In Saint-Julien, the best wines now offer an attractive balance between evolved fruit, Cabernet structure and tertiary complexity.
This Gruaud Larose can be enjoyed now, ideally after gradual opening or a short aeration. Serve at around 16 to 17°C, in large glasses, to reveal its nuances of cedar, tobacco, dark fruit and forest floor.
Key points: a mature, classic and structured Château Gruaud Larose 2008, rated 90/100 by several critics, showing the serious, earthy profile of an age-worthy Saint-Julien.
Food pairings: rack of lamb, grilled ribeye steak, côte de bœuf, duck breast, veal with morels, feathered game, sautéed mushrooms, gratin dauphinois or mature hard cheeses.
Data sheet
- until 2030
- Saint-Julien
- 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Bordeaux, 1855)
- Red
- 2008
- IN
- Robert Parker: 90 / 100
- Bordeaux
- Bottle (0.75 l)
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