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Gruaud Larose 2001

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Gruaud Larose

Label

Tasting Notes

Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple colour along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black cuurants, plums, licorce and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit and a plump expansive, plush texture, this is an atypically forward Gruaud Larose to drink now and over the next 12-14 years

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (153), June 2004
92/94
James Suckling, Wine Spectator, March 2002

There is a subtlety to this that strikes you immediately - gentle smoke, cold ash, tobacco, white truffle, brambled blackberry fruits, mint leaf, totally sublime, my favourite of the line up so far. It plays to the strengths of St Julien, and plays with nuanced light-and-shade in a way that the 2000 does not at this point. This is a high score for Gruaud Larose, and reflects the heights that this vintage is reaching right now - tracking how long it stays at this level is part of the beauty of wine. I tasted two versions, one decanted and one not - the smokey side is more evident in the carafe, but I preferred allowing it to open more slowly in the glass. Harvest September 21 to October 4, 35% new oak.

98
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, November 2021

Glowing crimson. Toasty oak. Quite attention-grabbing and slightly modern – tannins (of which there is a heavy charge) very well hidden. Good acidity.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2007
Read more tasting notes...
89/91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (146), April 2003
87/88
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (140), April 2002
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.