2008 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Gruaud Larose has a nose similar to the previous bottle, with tobacco and bay leaf mixed with cedar scents, as I mentioned before, almost Saint-Estèphe in character. The palate is medium-bodied with firmer, more rigid tannins than before, though well balanced with a dash of white pepper. There’s just a bit more grip than previous bottles have demonstrated. This Gruaud Larose is drinking perfectly now. In many ways, it's a classic claret, but I am not convinced it will repay continued cellaring. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Brick hue. Relatively reserved on the nose with just a hint of leafy, dark fruit. Palate round and juicy with a stony, mineral edge. Not massive structure but the tannins are more polished and refined. Altogether, a bit more precision and appeal. (JL)
The 2008 Gruaud Larose has a rather conservative bouquet with earthy red berry fruit, cedar and bay leaf aromas. Like previous bottles there is something almost Saint-Estèphe-like about the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, plenty of brown spices here with a rather forward, open-knit finish that suggests this is not a long-term proposition. I wonder if this has got the horsepower to last another ten years? Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting.
About the producer
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. It is often considered one of the best-value Left Bank estates, with the wines occasionally matching those of the First Growths.