1980 Gruaud Larose
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 1980 Gruaud Larose comes from a season when, quoting proprietor Jean Merlaut, the rain did not cease. It has an enervated, rather hollow bouquet, touches of tobacco and dried autumn leaves, a clear dearth of fruit. The palate is thin on the entry, light and with faint hints of cedar, dry and light tannins. Like the aromatics, this is just rather skeletal and one-dimensional towards the finish that at least shows some cohesion. It's not the estate’s finest moment, but it reflects a fairly awful growing season. Tasted in March 2010 at the "-0 vintage" vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Unusually variable from bottle to bottle, the 1980 Gruaud-Larose can be soft, fruity, spicy, and attractive. It is short in the finish and lean, as well as overtly herbaceous, hard, and acidic. It should be drunk up. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/87.
About the producer
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. It is often considered one of the best-value Left Bank estates, with the wines occasionally matching those of the First Growths.