2006 Château Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 2006 Gruaud Larose has a very conservative nose with smoke, tobacco and light attic-like scents. It just needs more fruit and more presence. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, clove and sage infusing the black fruit. This is a bit rough around the edges, though I do not find the metallic tincture that marked the previous bottle. It’s just not a particularly memorable Gruaud Larose. Drink now. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Garnet-brick hue. Dark fruit with a hint of graphite. Solid, even a little austere but structured and upright. Has a certain power and reasonable length but hard and drying on the finish. (JL)
The 2006 Gruaud Larose replicates the half-dozen or so previous encountered bottles. It has a straightforward light red berry nose, a little static but I would not say dilute. Perhaps you would have asked for more given the prestige of the château? The palate is medium-bodied with a savory, lightly spiced entry with clove and sage notes. There is a slight metallic texture on the finish with tar and tobacco lining the finish. You could broach this now since it is not destined to be a long-term Gruaud that just lacks excitement and sophistication. Tasted from half-bottle at the château.
Deep, intense brambly fruit unfurls gently over the palate. Not yet reached its tertiary stage but this knows where it is going, and doesn’t mind taking a pause before softly sliding towards autumnal flavours. Tannins have a little extra bite on the finish. A very classy, classic St-Julien.
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.