1981 Château Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 1981 Gruaud Larose is a bottle that I chose when proprietor Jean Merlaut invited me to pick a mature vintage. Though it is now a rather forgotten year, I have fond memories of the Gruaud Larose and I was intrigued to find out if it was still drinking well. The answer is yes. At 37 years old it has an exquisite, understated but very well defined bouquet: briary, cedar and tobacco, less of the mintiness I have noticed in previous bottles but very pure. The palate is medium-bodied with light and crisp tannin. This is a well balanced, elegant and refined, classic “old school” Claret without a care in the world. Bottles of sound provenance will still give pleasure. Tasted at Gruaud Larose.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
A top success for the vintage, the 1981 Gruaud-Larose is dark ruby, with a full-intensity bouquet of ripe black currants, spicy oak, plums, leather, smoked meat, and violets. This wine is concentrated on the palate, with rich, tannic, lingering flavors. The tannins are melting away and the wine is close to maturity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 10/89.
A top success for the vintage, the 1981 Gruaud-Larose is dark ruby, with a full-intensity bouquet of ripe black currants, spicy oak, plums, leather, smoked meat, and violets. This wine is concentrated on the palate, with rich, tannic, lingering flavors. The tannins are melting away and the wine is close to maturity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 10/89. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
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.