David Launay, General Manager of Gruaud-Larose, felt that the ripeness of 2008 lended itself particularly to Merlot and altered the proportions of his 2008 accordingly: 54% Cabernet, 34% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot. The concentrated, sweet ripe red fruit of the Merlot certainly comes across in this lean but dense wine. With the hallmark Gruaud notes of cedar and spice, this will be approachable earlier than some but would nonetheless be a rewarding buy for any cellar.