Gruaud Larose (Ex Chateau 2023)

The 2010 Gruaud Larose has a more capable nose than the previous vintage, with layers of red and black fruit, a touch of garrigues and pressed flowers. Lovely delineation, this gains intensity with aeration and shades the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, fresh and vibrant. It has better salinity than the 2009 with a little more finesse on the finish than it was showing several years ago. This is certainly moving in a positive direction. Tasted at the Gruaud Larose vertical at the château in February 2023.

66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Garnet with a touch of brick at the rim. Dark and slightly brooding. Solid and precise. Plenty of mid-palate fruit and an appreciable depth of ripe tannin. Less racy than the 2009 but plenty of substance. Length on the finish. (JL)

As with so many 2010s, this is barely out of the starting blocks even at 11 years old. Majoring on black chocolate shavings, espresso, cassis and bilberry fruits, powerful tannins with muscles but also juice, precision, all carefully chiselled to support the fruit. Extremely spicy, with black pepper and more exotic turmeric, showing that ripe Cabernet Sauvignon does a great job of delivering the spicy elements that Petit Verdot often brings. Eric Boissenot had arrived as consultant in 2006, so this was his 4th vintage. 50% new oak. Harvest September 28 to October 13.