Farr Vintners Logo

Gruaud Larose 2010

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

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.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. This is a great showing from Gruaud Larose. It has a lovely bouquet with vibrant blackberry, wild hedgerow and cedar aromas that display fine vigour and intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and ripe tannins, plenty of ripe tarry black fruit with a dense, tobacco-infused finish that is very focused and persistent. Excellent. Tasted January 2014.

95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, March 2014

Ripe raspberries and blueberries with hints of fresh flowers. Deep nose of dark fruits. Full body, with silky tannins and a beautifully integrated tannin structure. It's long and very refined. Better than 2009. Try in 2018.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

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. Drink 2020-2044.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

Some rather attractive mineral notes on the nose. Broad spread of ripe fruit on the palate initially and no excess of alcohol or oak. Absolutely spot-on St-Julien for relatively early drinking (tannins have all but disappeared). 13.5%
Drink 2018 – 2040

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2020

This famous and historic Saint Julien 2nd growth is popular throughout the world and is usually released at the most reasonable price of all the so-called "super-seconds". The 82 hectare vineyard (one of the largest of the classed growths) produces a wine from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Whilst other 2nd Growths (eg Ducru, Cos and Lascases) have gone for more concentration, big scores and higher prices, Gruaud seems to prefer to be a famous name giving value for money. This has a creamy succulent nose. It is very forward on the palate with good sweetness and a nice touch of peppery spiciness. Much smoother than most of the more classically structured Saint Juliens andd some lovely ripe plum fruit. Polished and attractive, this will beready to drink at 5 years old rather than 15 and will be a wine that provides much pleasure. Very fine but not profound..

93
Farr Vintners, April 2011

Although the nose seems quite light there are some attractive fragrances. Fresh red fruits show on the start of the palate but towards the middle the mix of cassis and black cherry gives a richer feel. The back palate lacks a bit of depth.

88/91
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011
94
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2011

Big, typically smoky-spicy Gruaud nose, lots of fleshy fruit, lifted and almost exotic flavours harmonious depth and length, back on top form for the medium-long term. Drink 2018-30.

18
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

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.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. I like this Gruaud, as banal as that sounds. It is just a Saint Julien that goes out to give pleasure. The Merlot component really comes through on the expressive bouquet with red cherries, wild strawberry, tobacco and bay leaf. The palate is well balanced with quite a sinewy entry. There are layers of ripe black fruit laced with white pepper and mineral, whilst the finish is focused and long. Could this become a modern day 1982? I hope so, as there could be no higher complement. Tasted November 2012.

94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, delivering 14 percent alcohol, the Gruaud '10 has a very intense nose with blackberry, cassis and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very svelte tannins on the entry, a sumptuous Gruaud Larose that belies that structured underneath seamless towards the finish. This is a Gruaud Larose that is full of character and should age beautifully over 20 years. This may merit a higher score after bottling, hence the plus sign. Tasted April 2011.

92/94+
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

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

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011

Dark polished crimson. Sweet black-cherry aromas. Oddly tarted up for a St-Julien. Just lacks a bit of depth and savour but it is certainly flattering and has applied its make-up very carefully. Awkward amalgam of assorted elements.

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011
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.