Château Gruaud Larose is a 2nd classified growth of the Saint-Julien appellation. Aged 46 years on average, the 82 hectare vineyard is planted on soils made up of Garonne gravel. The wine is aged in barrels (80% new and 20% one year old) between 18 and 24 months. Château Gruaud Larose 2016 is made from a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. At Château Gruaud Larose, the mild and rainy winter led to an early bud burst. Spring is marked by freshness and high rainfall, leading to a high risk of disease. However, the flowering took place perfectly thanks to a window of good weather. At the end of June, summer sets in and brings with it heat and drought, to such an extent that the vines become blocked at the beginning of September. Finally, a stormy episode on September 13 helped revive the maturity of the berries, before the property saw good weather set in and last during the harvest. At the tasting, Château Gruaud Larose 2016 develops generous aromas of black fruit (blackberries) on the nose combined with woody and empyreumatic (tobacco) notes. In the mouth, the tannins are fine and the acidity perfect. On the finish, the 2016 Château Gruaud Larose is intense, precise and extremely long.