Medium full crimson red color with touches of purple.  Classic Gruaud Larose nose of tar and roses.  On the palate: blackcurrant, cherry and cassis.  Very structured and very masculine … as usual.  A bit stolid and inflexible … as usual.  Massive tannins … as usual.  And while they are not austere as Gruaud Larose tannins historically can be it is clear that said tannins are going to outlive the fruit.  Question is really of when to drink and I am more inclined to have these consumed by its 20th birthday.  Very good (you could make a case this is a fine bottle for the vintage) but it was and never will be a profound Gruaud Larose.  Now – 2019.

We may not unconditionally love every vintage of Château Gruaud Larose but we will always unconditionally respect what Château Gruaud Larose is about. ‘Old-fashioned’ St.-Julien vinification.  It works.