| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Needs coaxing out of the glass, as is true with so many 2005s even at 16 years old, but straight off the first nose you get the most beautiful nuance and turmeric-strewn spice. It's exotic if subtle, with a creamy texture, grilled oak, black chocolate shavings, cassis and raspberry, all with the most beautiful sense of tiptoing through the palate, holding the line. Exceptionally well balanced, slate and smoked earth, giving signature St Julien finesse. You have really had to be patient for this wine, but it is utterly spellbinding, and starting to show its potential. Harvest September 20 to October 10. This one really does benefit from being carafed, because it keeps so much of itself hidden (I tasted it once in a carafe and once straight from the bottle). Brilliant, full of flavour. Harvest September 20 to October 11, 35% new oak.
The 2005 Gruaud Larose has a deep ruby/purple color, excellent concentration, and clean, pure black and red currant fruit, licorice and spice. It is medium to full-bodied, lush, and very soft and round. I’m surprised how drinkable it is already, although it is certainly capable of lasting 15 or more years.
Tasted blind. Sweet ink on the nose. Round and fluid. Not top drawer but very nicely balanced for early drinking.
Drink 2015-2027
Good red-ruby. Redcurrant, leather and game on the expressive if slightly rustic nose. Sweet and concentrated but a bit youthfully aggressive, and not showing the refinement or definition of the 2006. Strong nutty oak component. Finishes with substantial tannins that are a bit richer and more fully buffered by the wine's middle-palate material than those of the 2006. It will be interesting to compare these two vintages in ten years or so.
Good nose, but palate is a bit lean. Finish is better.Closed, but very promising. Good structure. Firm core. Drink from 2016. Awarded 3 stars.
Came 42nd out of 184 wines
Tasted on three separate occasions, this cuvee exhibits a dark ruby color (with much less saturation than many wines of the vintage) as well as a distinctive, herbal, meaty, horsey nose, medium to full body, good depth, power, and richness, and soft tannins. The wine’s rustic aromas and earthy style are intriguing and provocative. While an excellent effort, the 2005 Gruaud Larose is not one of the stars of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2022
The Château Gruaud Larose 2005 has an open bouquet: quite savoury in style with touches of bacon fat and cured meat infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly angular tannin. The acidity is well judged although it still needs to develop a little cohesion towards the finish. It seems to have just lost a little length since I last tasted it - obviously still going through its awkward ""teenager"" moment. I am sure it will come down from its bedroom at some point and those sage and thyme notes on the aftertaste continue to appeal. Drink 2018 - 2040
Very pretty aromas of flowers, berries, currants and light raisins. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and lovely ripeness. Attractive and balanced.
Dark purplish crimson. Complex, evolved, broad nose. Subtle, fruity and polished. Very complete and satisfying. A wine designed to give pleasure. 13%
Drink 2020-2040
Purplish crimson. Quite inky and oaky on the nose for a St-Julien. Fruit juice attack. Perfectly fine but lacks a bit of subtlety. Heavy oaking on the finish. Solid and competent rather than a high flyer. Rather dead finish. Drink 2016-22
