Bordeaux 2025: Gruaud Larose, Clerc Milon and d’Armailhac

Gruaud Larose is celebrating its 300th vintage in style, with a stunning 2025. This is one of the most sumptuous and seductive wines produced at this great estate in many years – a fitting tribute to Joseph-Stanislas Gruaud, who planted these vineyards all those years ago. It comes highly recommended by the J&B team with a particular endorsement from our Director of Fine Wine, Giles Burke-Gaffney, who thought this was one of the standout wines of St Julien. To mark this special anniversary, the château has designed a commemorative bottle with a beautiful, silk-screened design, finished with a gold wax seal. The large formats can also be personalized to mark a special occasion or for gifting. Please enquire with your account manager if you are interested.

“Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, cassis, plums mingled with hints of violet and pencil shavings, the 2025 Gruaud Larose is medium- to full-bodied, supple and suave, with a deep core of fruit, lovely energy and ripe, powdery tannins. Checking in at 13.5% alcohol, this blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc will bear a special gold label to commemorate the estate's 300th anniversary." 94-96/100 - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“The 2025 Gruaud Larose comes in a specially designed etched bottle to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first vintage labelled as Gruaud Larose (although there were already vines in situ). Picked between September 3 and 20 at 26 hl/ha, average for the appellation, and aged in new oak, it has a less outgoing bouquet than its peers, tightly wound black fruit, sous-bois and tobacco. Fine delineation and firmly classical in style. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins. A more tertiary Gruaud Larose, hints of dark powdered chocolate combine with black fruit, leading to a more structured vintage that lingers nicely in the mouth. Perhaps slightly less deep than some of its peers, this has a tendency to gain weight during élevage. Englishman's claret! 2032 – 2060” 93-95/100 - Neal Martin, vinous.com

Mouton Rothschild has released its sister properties, Clerc Milon and d’Armailhac this morning. Again, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy and the Mouton team have done a fantastic job with these two Pauillacs. Pure pleasure, these gorgeous wines are packed with vivacious fruit, supported by fine acidity and tannins.

“The 2025 Clerc Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up notes of dark berries, petals and orange zest, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with lively acids and a chalky finish, it's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and the rest Carmenère and Petit Verdot.” 93-95/100 - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“The 2025 Clerc Milon was picked from September 3 to 19 and matured in 55% new oak. The oak shows a little more than the d'Armailhac at the moment, though that will be subsumed with time. I suspect it will need longer bottle age to fully integrate. The palate is very rounded and supple on the entry, a mixture of red and black fruit, a little white pepper and tobacco, gaining more weight towards the finish with a sustained aftertaste. I feel this might have the edge over the d'Armailhac this vintage—let's see.” 92-94/100 - Neal Martin, vinous.com

“A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2025 d'Armailhac bursts with aromas of dark berries, violets and lilac. Medium- to full-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit, tangy acids and a youthfully chewy finish, this is a comparatively structured young d'Armailac [sic].” 91-93/100 - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“The 2025 d'Armailhac was picked between September 9 and 20 and matured in 50% new oak. This has fine definition and purity on the nose, though perhaps it does not quite grab you like some recent vintages. This plays it "cool". The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly grainy tannins that frame the blackberry and cassis fruit. Quite peppery on the finish, less flamboyant than some vintages, though very refined and quite long. Good potential. Maybe it has something up its sleeve? Drink 2030 – 2055” 91-93/100 - Neal Martin, vinous.com