1996 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
Decanted immediately on opening, because this remains firmly structured even at 25 years old, and feels a good number of years younger than the 1995. Once the oxygen softens things up, the autmnal but still-juicy cassis and bilberry fruits begin to spiral out of the glass. There is tobacco and smoked earth here, alongside clear black truffles, olive tapenade, flavours that indicate a high quality vintage that favoured Cabernet Sauvignon. Still fairly upright and strict, give it time in a carafe to ensure the tannins become supple enough to let the beauty of this wine out, but don't feel you need to wait too long - there is real beauty here. Harvest September 20 to October 10, 35% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby with a blackish cast. Some very classical dry cedary notes on the nose – definitely tertiary. Sweet start and very round fruit with virtually no tannin in evidence. So sweet it only just has enough freshness but this would be a very attractive plump wine to drink now. Good attack. (JR)
Moderate Cabernet fragrance. Then sweet palate entry – really rather attractive. This is the wine I overrated in the blind 1996 tasting but it’s good! Very nice balance and weight. Just coming round. A wine to be proud of. Spreads across the palate very winningly. £55.50 Caves de Pyrène (JR)
Bright crimson. Hint of minerals, very well mannered. Mouth-filling, lots of fruit. Much richer than most 1996s. Long and powerful. I originally scored this wine even higher but, since all the other tasters consistently scored it lower, I have reduced my mark from 18 to 17 and note with due humility that I may have overscored this one. Unfortunately there was no back-up bottle. (JR)
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.