2015 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose Saint-Julien

Chateau Gruaud-Larose in Saint-Julien is one of only 14-second growths from the 1855 Classification in Bordeaux. 

This historical estate was formed in the early 1700s and has since changed hands half a dozen times. It was most recently purchased by the Taillan group and the Merlaut family in 1997. This wine group owns a variety of other properties including Ch. Haut-Bages Liberal (fifth growth), Ch. Ferriere (third growth), Ch. La Gurgue, Ch. Camensac (fifth growth), Ch. Chasse Spleen, and Ch. Gressier Grand Poujeaux.

Château Gruaud La Rose is located in the Medoc region, a region that boasts the largest concentration of Grand Cru Wines. This area benefits from a microclimate that is ideal for good-quality vines to thrive. The terroir at Château Gruaud La Rose consists of Garonne gravel that settled over 600,000 years ago during the first quaternary period. This results in complex and deel wines that are meant to age.

Since the 2019 vintage, Château Gruaud La Rose has taken steps towards conversion to Organic Farming and also employs Biodynamic tools and practices, such as using herbal teas derived from various plants instead of chemical pesticides and providing trace minerals to the vines.

Wine Advocate says, "Second wines are a win-win for both the winery and the consumer. The winery gets to use grapes that would otherwise not make it into their flagship wine, and the consumer gets to experience the quality and style of a top producer at a more accessible price point." 

Second wines are some of the best buys Bordeaux has to offer. Wines that hail from some of the most prized vineyards in the world, crafted by the best, most innovative winemaking teams out there. But, (the best part) they sell at a fraction of the price that the Grand Vin. Sarget de Gruaud is one of the best-value 2nd wines you'll find! 

2015 was a great vintage for Bordeaux, Vinous Media blessed this year with a 95-point review and said that "Bordeaux enjoyed its strongest vintage in a number of years in 2015. The 2015s are spectacularly rich, racy wines loaded with personality. Margaux and Saint-Julien are the clear winners on the Left Bank."

Aging: 14 months in French oak barrels (15% new, the rest 1-2 years old)