Tasting Notes
Vinous 91
The 2000 Gruaud Larose is a vintage that I have not tasted for some 10 years. It has a somehow sedate bouquet of dark red berry fruit, cola and tobacco scents, ever so slightly smudged with age. The mellow, soy-tinged palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins and fine acidity but maybe just a little sauvage on the ferrous, slightly bretty finish. I feel this had more pep several years ago.
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2035
Robert Parker 93
Tasted at The Ledbury Gruaud Larose lunch, this bottle is consistent with previous encounters. The nose has very good lift, opening up a little more with age with blackberry, tobacco and showing a touch of crushed stone this time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins but bold and there is much more cohesion than the 1999. There is a hint of Hoi Sin towards the finish that is still dominated by blackberry, cedar and graphite. It needs another five or six years to really come round, but great potential. Tasted June 2011.
JancisRobinson.com 16
Very deep crimson. Integrated, not especially intense nose. Still lots of tannins – pretty dry ones. A bit of lift but not much acidity. A bit stodgy overall. Surprisingly uncharismatic.
Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020
