Château Gruaud Larose 2011 – Saint-Julien 2ème Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant, fruity and offers delicacy as well as some blackness/charness in elegance. There are notes of crushed blackberry, fleshy wild strawberry and, more slightly, pulpy black berries combined with fine touches of blackcurrant jam as well as a delicate hint of cardamom, clove and a very discreet touch of chocolate. The palate is fruity, balanced, racy and offers freshness, good definition, an acidic backbone, a nice fine grain, tension, delicacy, a certain unctuousness as well as a fine straightness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, pulpy/juicy blackcurrant and, more slightly, fleshy strawberry, combined with hints of cardamom, chocolate, as well as fine points of toasted hazelnut, jammy black berries and a delicate touch of vanilla. The tannins are precise and well-managed.