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Gruaud Larose 1990

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Tasting Notes

Meaty, smoky, sweet berry and black currant characteristics intertwined with roasted herb, charcoal, new saddle leather, and bloody steak juice-like notes are found in this lush, full-bodied, opulent wine. It is a fully mature 1990 that, given its depth and intensity, should continue to evolve for at least another 15 years.

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (183), June 2009

An estate known for its long ageing, and here it has softened at 31 years old, but still offering silky tannins and autumnal fruits with cedar smoked oak, marzipan, dried leather and gentle truffled spice. A thoroughly enjoyable Gruaud Larose showcasing old-school St-Julien balance. Clear crushed mint leaf on the finish, utterly moreish. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend; 33% new oak. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2035

94
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, May 2021
16.67
Group Tasting, Blind 1990 Tasting, September 2000

This wine continues to get better and better and is certainly one of the great successes in what is a profound vintage for Bordeaux. While the wine still tastes young, it is already complex, with so much sweet tannin and lavish fruit that it is impossible to resist, even though it probably will not hit its plateau of maturity for another 5-6 years. A stunning nose of licorice, earth, cedar, proveneal herbs, black currants, asphalt and cherries from the glass. Full-bodied, opulent with fabulous concentration, a seamlesstexture and remarkable suffing and power, this low-acid, thick, almost viscous wine can be drunk now or cellared for at least another two decades. For trivia buffs, this was the wine President Chirac served for former President Clinton when he hosted Clinton in Pari at the famous Parisian bistro L'Ami Louis in June 1999. I know because several days later President Chirac gave me the legion of honour. In his speech, he acknowledged the fact that President Clinton only wanted to "drink a wine highly rated by Robert Parker". Anticipated maturity: now - 2020. Last tasted 9/02

96
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003

This superb wine has a sensational nose of jammy black cherries, earth, cedar and herbs and has become far more intense and striking. The wine displays sensational richness and power…the low acidity emphasizes the thick, juicy, succulent fruit in this backward yet rich chewy wine. Drink 1999 - 2020.

93
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (3), November 1998
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.