Vineyards and winemaking
The 1989 blend comprises 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Gruaud Larose’s broad Saint-Julien plateau is formed from deep gravel, with the Gironde estuary moderating temperatures; the site gives Cabernet both ripeness and the firm structure needed for long development.
An exceptionally hot, early season allowed the fruit to ripen fully and the harvest to proceed without haste. The grapes were vinified in temperature-controlled vats and the wine matured in French oak, integrating the richness of the vintage with the cedar, tannin and savoury line of classic Saint-Julien.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep garnet with a brick-red rim and notable concentration.
Nose
Crushed red and black fruit mingle with mint, leather and tobacco. Notes of tar, cedar and warm earth give the ripe bouquet a distinctly mature Médoc complexity.
Palate
Full-bodied yet polished, with dark berry fruit carried by silky, resolved tannins. Liquorice, cigar box and graphite build through the middle, ending long with savoury spice and mineral freshness.
Food pairing
Serve with rack of lamb, roast grouse, beef Wellington, or a cep and lentil pithivier. Mature Comté or a clothbound Cheddar will echo its nutty, savoury development.
Background story
Founded in 1725, Château Gruaud Larose was ranked a Second Growth in the 1855 Classification. Its historic motto, often rendered as “the king of wines, the wine of kings”, reflects a long reputation for powerful, age-worthy Saint-Julien.
The 1989 received 94 points from Wine Spectator and is now mature. Bottle variation is possible: stand upright, open gently and decant carefully from sediment, watching its response to air. Serve at around 16–18°C.
