Ratings By Robert Parker 88 – 90 Tasting Notes A sweet, fruity, medium-bodied, surprisingly forward effort, the deep plum/purple-colored 2002 Gruaud Larose exhibits ripe aromas revealing herbaceous as well as spice notes. There is some potentially worrisome astringent tannin in the finish, but the wine??s depth augers well for this being ultimately resolved and integrated.… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St.-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple color along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black currants, plums, licorice, and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, and a plump, expansive, plush texture, this is an atypically forward… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 94 Tasting Notes A very strong effort for Gruaud Larose, possibly eclipsed by what they have done in 2009, this is a pure, full-bodied Gruaud Larose with plenty of new saddle leather, cedar wood, black currants, cherries, licorice, and Provencal herbs. Spicy, earthy, full-bodied, and rich, it has hit its plateau… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes An exotic perfume of tapenade, new saddle leather, damp earth, black currants, cherries, and smoke jumps from the glass of this impressive, powerful 1999. The wine is medium-bodied with moderate tannin. This dark plum/ruby-colored St.-Julien requires another 2-3 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015.(Wine Advocate # 140 Apr… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 88 Tasting Notes Gruaud-Larose has fashioned an elegant, less rustic wine than previous vintages. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple. The bouquet offers aromas of plums, black raspberries, and cassis. Stylish, with medium to full body, sweet tannin, and excellent purity as well as overall symmetry, it will drink well… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 87 Tasting Notes The 1997 Gruaud Larose is a soft, fleshy effort loaded with olive and licorice-tinged, black cherry and cassis fruit. Smoky, new saddle leather notes also emerge as the wine sits in the glass. Offering excellent richness, medium body, moderate weight, low acidity, and soft tannin, it will provide… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes In the bottle, Gruaud Larose appears to have returned to the form it possessed when I first tasted it from cask – a stylish, surprisingly civilized, medium-bodied wine without the muscle and power expected from both this terroir and vintage. It still possesses excellent density, as well as… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 89 Tasting Notes Revealing more grip and tannin since bottling, the 1995 Gruaud-Larose exhibits a dark ruby color, and a nose of sweet black cherries, licorice, earth, and spice. Rich, with medium to full body, high tannin, and subtle oak in the background, the 1995 is nearly as structured and tannic… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 95+ Tasting Notes One of the stars of the vintage, and a remarkable achievement in 2008, with impressive richness, this dense purple colored wine is almost as opaque as the 2010. Spring flowers, crushed rocks, creme de cassis and some subtle oak are followed by a full-bodied, concentrated wine that transcends… Read More »

Ratings By Robert Parker 90 Tasting Notes An outstanding effort from proprietor Bruno Borie, the 2007 Ducru exhibits sweet black currant fruit, licorice, lead pencil shaving, and wood spice characteristics along with medium to full body, a velvety mouthfeel, and outstanding density as well as richness. It is a strong effort for the vintage, and… Read More »