Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 94
Tasted at The Ledbury Gruaud Larose lunch, a consistent note compared to the one encountered last year, perhaps one of the finest wines of the decade after the 1982. It has a typically backward, distant nose that does not really want to play ball, but reluctantly offers black fruits, tobacco, cedar and retains that Graves-like personality. The palate is masculine, bolstered by rigid tannins, quite tarry in the mouth with hints of mocha towards its stern, finish. Gentleman’s claret! Superb. Tasted June 2011.
JancisRobinson.com 17
Salty zesty nose with great liveliness. Sweeter than the 1986 Las Cases served blind alongside it but less dense. A very pretty wine. This has always been one of the most charming 1986s and it’s still, just about, in fine fettle. Though I wouldn’t keep it any longer.
Anticipated maturity: 2006-2015
Vinous 95
Very youthful deep ruby-red color. Brooding nose offers perfumed blackcurrant, mineral, violet and quinine aromas. Big, dense and rich, conveying an impression of strong extract to the powerful, well-delineated blackberry and herb flavors. The long, tactile finish features chewy but polished tannins and a lingering floral note. Though ready to drink now, this wine will continue to age gracefully. One of the best Gruaud-Larose wines of the past 40 years.
