CHÂTEAU GRUAUD LAROSE

The 2010 Gruaud Larose is maturing nicely on the nose: well defined red and black fruit intermingling, hints of meat juices and a subtle briny scents that seems to gain intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. This Gruaud-Larose displays fine body and density, a slightly powdery texture with hints of liquorice and sea salt towards the persistent and quite burly finish. Like many other 2010s it will benefit from more time in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. Drinking range: 2023 - 2050 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2020)

Bright red-ruby. Blackcurrant, smoke, tobacco and leather on the nose, with hints of game and earth. Round, lush and seamless in the mouth; shows an animal aspect yet comes across as civilized owing to well-judged extraction. Enticing sweetness to the flavors of dark and red berries and wild herbs, lifted by a note of candied flowers. This has the concentration and body to support its serious but sweet tannins. I would not be surprised if this large-scaled wine shut down in bottle in the near future, but it should also be long-lived. Rating: 92 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul 2013)

A classic, savoury Saint Julien from a property that rarely lets you down, this is a drinking person’s claret: fresh and balanced with a hint of mint adding complexity on the palate and refreshing acidity. The tannins are a little firm but these should integrate in barrel. 15+ years. Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2011)

This gets my nod as the finest Gruaud Larose since the 2000 and 1990. The opaque purple-colored 2010 exhibits copious notes of Asian plum sauce, spice box, creme de cassis, loamy soil and a beefy/meaty character. It is full-bodied, dense and powerful, with stunning purity and no evidence of brett (a characteristic of the great Gruaud Larose wines made in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s). Given the 2010's tannin profile, it will require 5-8 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades thereafter. 2016-2046 Rating: 92-94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (May 2011)

(66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot and 6% petit verdot; 78 IPT; 14% alcohol; 50% new oak) Inky-purple. Intense aromas of cassis and dark plum are complicated by earthy underbrush. Very sweet and supple in the mouth, with a juicy quality to the bright red cherry, tobacco and mushroom flavors. Finishes with mounting but polished tannins and a hint of white pepper. This is a big wine that comes across as precise and pure, no small feat given its concentration. Yet another strong showing for Gruaud-Larose, following the excellent 2009. Should age very well: drink from 2018 through 2040. Rating: 92-95 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2011)

This is Cabernet Sauvignon 66%, Merlot 28% and Petit Verdot 6%, and the alcohol is 14%. A dark and glossy crimson hue, with a dark core. Quite an intense dark fruit nose too, a very direct style, with some rose petal perfume on the side, along with tinges of burnt tobacco and soot. A palate of well-framed fruit and texture here, well defined and linear as per the nose, with a show of supple, lightly grainy tannins in the middle. Good acidity here. Quite substantial, although with fresh and lively fruit. As a whole this is really well composed, blending seamlessly into a structured finish showing that there is indeed a lot of grippy tannin buried here. And it goes on and on in the mouth. Very good potential indeed here, and one of the most convincing showings from Gruaud in recent years I think. Rating: 17-18/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2011)

Dark polished crimson. Sweet black-cherry aromas. Oddly tarted up for a St-Julien. Just lacks a bit of depth and savour but it is certainly flattering and has applied its make-up very carefully. Awkward amalgam of assorted elements. 2020-2030 Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2011)

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, delivering 14 percent alcohol, the Gruaud ’10 has a very intense nose with blackberry, cassis and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very svelte tannins on the entry, a sumptuous Gruaud Larose that belies that structured underneath seamless towards the finish. This is a Gruaud Larose that is full of character and should age beautifully over 20 years. This may merit a higher score after bottling, hence the plus sign. Rating: 92-94+ Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2011)

Big, typically smoky-spicy Gruaud nose, lots of fleshy fruit, lifted and almost exotic flavours harmonious depth and length, back on top form for the medium-long term. Drink 2018-30. Rating: ****18 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2011)

It like the finish on this wine with a blueberry, currant and citrus fruit character on the nose and palate. Full and chewy with ultra-fine tannins and a bright acidity. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2011)

Offers a serious core of kirsch, blackberry and plum sauce notes, with lovely, velvety tannins taking over the pure, violet-tinged finish, which has length and grace. Shows more elegance than most of its peers in this vintage. Rating: 93-96 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2011)