1972 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 1972 Gruaud Larose was proprietor Jean Merlaut’s first vinification, though his amusing introduction for this wine did not raise anyone's hopes of a drinkable wine from a terrible growing season. That said, the nose is not execrable, with strong sous-bois , sage, leather and vegetal aromas. Put it this way: I have encountered a lot worse. The palate is very lean and scrawny, the vegetal notes dominate the mid-palate, and it finishes searingly dry and lean. Is it undrinkable? Maybe after the first sip. Tasted in April 2012 at the "-2 vintage" vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
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.