1990 Gruaud Larose (Ex Chateau 2023)
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Tasting notes
The 1990 Gruaud Larose has been hit 'n' miss over various bottles, not unlike the '90 Montrose. This was a hit. It has a very youthful bouquet with dark berry fruit, tar and mint, certainly far less Brettanomyces than other examples. The palate is fresh and well structured, with hints of black truffle intertwined with the red fruit, a tad spicier than the Lagrange with a dab of liquorice for good measure on the satisfying finish. Excellent. Tasted single blind at the 1990 Bordeaux dinner at Medlar.
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More reviews and scores
The 1990 Gruaud Larose is a strange fellow on the nose. Milk chocolate, leather and touches of caramel are fully mature, but it is totally eclipsed by the 1982 by direct comparison. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly leathery, bretty opening. With fine acidity and modest depth, I feel that compared to previous bottles, this is beginning to fatigue and that Brettanomyces does not help matters and, at least on his bottle, mutes the finish. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château.
Edgy and with the acidity to the fore. Some pretty ripe fruit but not much charm. Drying finish. The opposite of mellifluous. Perhaps it’s just this bottle? (JR)
An estate known for its long ageing, and here it has softened at 31 years old, but still offering silky tannins and autumnal fruits with cedar smoked oak, marzipan, dried leather and gentle truffled spice. A thoroughly enjoyable Gruaud Larose showcasing old-school St-Julien balance. Clear crushed mint leaf on the finish, utterly moreish. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend; 33% new oak. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2035
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.