2016 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Gruaud Larose was corked, tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
This opens with aromas of tobacco, black currants and gentle earthiness. Medium- to full-bodied, with firmness and focus rather than weight, showing refined, integrated tannins. Drinkable now, but will benefit from a couple of years of cellaring. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
The 2016 Gruaud Larose has a beautiful nose that is much more pure than the vintages from the noughties. It's well-defined with blackberry, blueberry and crushed violet scents. This is much more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, supple and poised, with a gentle build in the mouth, but, to use a word I wrote before, there is something sedate about this Gruaud; it doesn’t want to create too much fuss. Lovely. (NM)
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc . Crimson hue. Still primary and youthful with blueberry and blackcurrant notes. Dense and driven with a depth of fruit and solid tannic frame. Bit more intensity than the 2015 tasted previously. Length and persistence on the finish. Compact and built for ageing. (JL)
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.