Sarget de Gruaud Larose 2019, Saint-Julien

The 2019 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose is the accomplished second wine of the historic Second Growth estate, Château Gruaud-Larose, in Saint-Julien. While the Grand Vin (the first wine) is famous for its "beastly" power and decades-long aging requirement, the Sarget is specifically crafted to offer the same pedigree with much better accessibility.

Critics generally agree that the 2019 vintage is "serious yet seductive," benefiting from a warm growing season that provided ripe, polished fruit.

• The Nose: Dark ruby in color with aromas of cassis, black cherry, and red berries. You’ll also find classic Saint-Julien complexity: hints of tobacco leaf, cedar, and dark chocolate.

• The Palate: Medium-bodied and remarkably smooth. It balances the "crunchy" freshness of red fruit with savuory undertones of black pepper and wet earth.

• The Finish: The tannins are present but refined and "powdery," leading to a clean, mineral finish that avoids the heavy oakiness found in some other vintages.

James Suckling: 91–92 pts (typical range for this vintage)