2008 Chateau Gruaud Larose

品飲筆記：深紫帶石榴紅的酒色，前端以黑醋栗、李子與深色櫻桃為主軸，伴隨煙草、雪松與一抹甘草和林間潮濕土壤的氣息。入喉質地滑順，單寧帶有甜感而細緻，酸度支撐整體活力，層次逐步堆疊，餘韻帶有泥土與香草的餘香而且延展。

酒莊與葡萄園：格魯奧·拉路斯為聖祖利安名莊（第二級），擁有約82公頃植株，生長於古老的加龍河礫石土壤。平均植株年齡約46年，全面以有機與生機農法管理，田間採取機械與人工結合的害蟲管理、人工修剪與綠色採收，所有地塊手工採收並在園內與接收處做雙重挑選。

釀造與陳年：分地塊控槽發酵（40%木桶、60%溫控水泥槽），使用選定酵母，陳年16個月於法國細紋橡木桶（中烘焙），每年約更新50%的新桶，目的是在保留果味的同時帶出香料與結構。酒體適中偏飽滿，開瓶前建議醒酒，與紅肉及熟成乳酪是經典搭配。

Tasting note: Deep plum/purple in colour with layered aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum and dark cherry set against cedar, tobacco and a hint of licorice and forest-floor complexity. On the palate it is polished and medium–full, with sweet, rounded tannins, balanced acidity and a steady build of flavor that leads to a long, earthy finish.

Producer & vineyard: Château Gruaud-Larose, a classified Second Growth in Saint-Julien, works 82 hectares of vines on ancient Garonne gravel. Vines average around 46 years old. The estate practices integrated pest control and manages its surface according to organic and biodynamic principles; parcels are hand-harvested with sorting in the vineyard and double sorting at reception.

Winemaking & ageing: Grapes are handled with plot selection at reception; fermentations take place in a mix of French oak tanks (40%) and thermo-regulated cement vats (60%) with selected yeasts. The wine is matured for 16 months in fine-grain French oak barrels (medium toast), with roughly 50% of the barrels renewed each year to preserve fruit clarity while adding spice and structure.

Serve & cellar: Ready to enjoy after decanting but will continue to evolve—best approached with an hour of decanting to let the aromatics open. Pairs wonderfully with roast and grilled red meats, classic beef preparations and mature cheeses.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 13.4%
• Decant Time: 1 hour
• Taste: blackcurrant, plum, dark cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice, forest floor, earthy, vanilla oak, sweet tannins, balanced acidity, polished
• Food Matching: Beef Wellington, Sirloin steak, Boeuf en croûte, Manchego, Roast beef, Venison, Mature hard cheeses, Lamb
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 61%, Merlot : 29%, Cabernet Franc : 5%, Petit Verdot : 5%,

Winery

格魯奧·拉路斯酒莊 (Château Gruaud-Larose)

Chateau Gruaud-Larose