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Gruaud Larose 2003

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

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Gruaud Larose

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2003 Gruaud Larose’s dark plum/garnet color is followed by sweet aromas of damp earth, forest floor, herbs, espresso roast, cassis, licorice, and plums. Medium-bodied as well as surprisingly up-front and precocious, it possesses sweet tannin, very nice concentration, and loads of earthy/herbal characteristics intermixed with black fruits, and an attractive, but supple, evolved finish. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. It does not rank alongside the top St.-Juliens.

88
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Aromas of blackberry, toasted oak, sweet tobacco and espresso. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. I like the texture. Best after 2010. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 16,665 cases made.

92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Very lively and smooth and easy - even if not the most complex. Just a little green and scrawny on the end. (Average group score: 16)

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2010
92
Farr Vintners, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2007
16+
Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine (1), April 2004
Read more tasting notes...
86/88
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005

Tasted on three occasions with the same results, the medium dark ruby-hued 2003 Gruaud Larose offers only a hint of green herbs, lacks a mid-palate as well as depth, and reveals chalky tannin in the finish. The bouquet is evolved, the acidity is low, and there is less body, concentration, and intensity than usual. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014.

86/88
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (152), April 2004

Pure cassis and raspberry sauce with vanilla. Full bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a finish that lasts a very long time. Awesome wine. This is very close in quality to the 2000.

95/100
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 04), April 2004

Pretty solid crimson. Not much nose and extremely dry tannins. This tastes as though it were made to the same recipe as any other year, resulting in these swingeing tannins. Short on charm. Burly. Not ageing gracefully.

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2008

Lovely neat tannins, Bursting with health.

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (April 04), April 2004
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.