Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2010

This has plenty of fleshy tannins and depth through the mid palate, with waves of cassis, rosebud and liquorice root, melted cocoa and campfire smoke, totally charming and very St Julien, but the architecture remains fairly tight on the finish, and it will benefit from a little longer in bottle. Eric Boissenot consultant, 50% new oak. Harvest September 28 to October 13.

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.

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Gruaud Larose delivers notes of warm cassis, blackberry compote and boysenberries with nuances of new leather, unsmoked cigars and bay leaves plus a medicinal waft. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with generous black fruit preserves, sparked by herbal and earthy hints and supported with a firm, grainy texture, finishing with gorgeous freshness.

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.

Dark garnet/plum/purple, with loads of spice, earth, underbrush, red and black currants, licorice, and even a hint of Provencal garrigue, this full-bodied, tannic, masculine style of St.-Julien needs 5-6 years of cellaring, but is full, beefy, rich and impressively endowed. There are plenty of firm tannins in the background of this blockbuster wine, which has been built for the long haul. This is one 2010 where patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
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.

(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.

(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.