Château Gruaud Larose 2012 – Saint-Julien 2ème Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant and offers some intensity and depth. There are notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, wild strawberry and more slightly vanilla combined with fine hints of spice as well as a touch of toast, vanilla and a discreet hint of almost cedar/eucalyptus. The palate is fruity, fresh, mineral, elegant, with finesse/precision, and offers delicacy, gourmandise, definition, intensity, freshness, unctuousness, clarity and depth. A discreet restrained character. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy blackcurrant, crushed strawberry and, more slightly, wild berries, combined with touches of salinity, racy minerality and fine hints of chocolate and toasted hazelnut. Nice sapidity and gourmandise (brought by the sapidity). A discreet hint of cedar/eucalyptus in the background. What a delicacy! The wine needs time in the glass to fully open up.