Sarget de Gruaud Larose Saint Julien 2019

A tremendous 2nd label value. This Sarget de Gruaud Larose serves as a textbook example of Saint-Julien harmony. The nose is classically composed, rich in dark berries, sandalwood, and polished leather. On the palate, the wine is structured yet silky, packed with savory fruit layers and a vibrant mineral freshness that carries through to a long, earth-laced finish. While it is approachable now with a short decant, it possesses the stuffing to age gracefully for another 5 plus years.

The 2019 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose has a well- defined bouquet with tertiary red berry fruit, understated initially but gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite tarry with a fair proportion of tobacco and black pepper on the finish. There is quite a lot going on in this wine and it should age well in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.