I've probably had more Gruaud-Larose than any other classified growth Bordeaux. The 1949 was a great wine and the 1962, which I must have had well over twenty times (12 of those en magnum), was one of my all-time favorites. This one missed the mark, but not by a lot.

The ripe Bordeaux nose exploded as soon as the cork was extracted. During decanting, the perfume spread throughout the room. The tannins have mellowed some and while there is still fruit present, the depth and complexity were a little shy of expectations. I'd rate it 89 or 90.

Board-O, was that 1978 from a 750ml or mag, and what would you guess a 1978 G/L magnum is worth today?

Also, I haven't had any G/L from a mag., but wonder what the 86 would be like today from a mag. My 1986 750's are excellent, but would a mag. still be regarded as too young too open? What are your thoughts?

I still don't think the 86 is mature from a 750 much less a magnum.

JW1, I agree, the 1986 G/L is not mature, but you sure can drink it now without that tannic punch that it had 5 years ago. And, it's great!

Last week, I opened a bottle of what I was positive was 1986 Meyney. I walked into the other room, sat down, took a drink, and WOW!
That was by far the best Meyney I had ever had! I returned to the kitchen with my reading glasses and discovered I had opened a 1986 G/L by mistake. Both wines were Cordier wines in 1986 and have very similar labels, especially without my glasses. I saved half for the next day, but the next morning it was all gone...Someone else drank it and I'm still mad at her!

The '78 G-L was from a 750. I don't really know it's worth since I bought it over 20 years ago. I bought a case plus a bottle of the '86 G-L. I tried the first bottle a couple of years ago and it was far too young. Hold on to yours til they're ready to drink. I don't remember exactly when Parker said it would be ready but I think it starts about 5 years from now. I have it written in my cellar log.

Board-O, I just checked the book and RMP estimates 2000-2025 for maturity... I'm thinking of using it in my Riedel test tomorrow night, together with the 1993 Mondavi Reserve. I will post TN on Monday if I use it...

1981 Chateau Gruaud-Larose

Dug this post up from the Search files.

I had the pleasure of drinking a 1981 Ch. Gruaud-Larose this weekend...albeit at my local golf course during a tournament (while playing).

Bought the bottle at winebid.com over a year ago...yes - overpriced, but how else do you obtain aged bordeaux when you are a relative beginner collector/drinker????

Decanted the wine in the morning to separate sediment, then, 1 hour later carefully poured the wine back into the original bottle for transport to the golf course. Not ideal...but...

Board-O's previous observations of "Ripe bordeaux nose" exploding when you popped the cork and perfuming the room was right on...I have never experienced this before, but was truely intrigued by the aromatic splendor this wine gave while I was decanting.

I have very - very limited knowledge of bordeaux, and of course, I didn't take any notes on this wine.
I was first struck by the silky smooth and ripe aromas and taste, and was suprised that mild tannin was still present. The finish was outstanding.

We had cold smoked salmon pate, cheeses, and other assorted hors d'oeuvres that were nice accompaniments to the wine.

On the golf course may not have been an ideal setting to really enjoy this wine, but the weather was great, the mood was fun, the snacks were delicious...and the bordeaux was the topper.
Didn't golf too well though!

tyee, you just brought some class to that golf course! But while playing??? or in the club house? and don't tell me you used a paper or styrofoam cup if you were playing!

Board-O What year did Gruaud Larose go to the present style of bottle from that older styled bottle (shorter & larger in circum.) I miss that older bottle, and I remember it in the 1975 bottle, but not sure after 1975 when they changed???

I'm not sure. I could pull out some bottles and check, but I'm too lazy. My guess would be somewhere in the late 70's. I think the '78 was the old style bottle and the '81 is the new.

Latour,

We drank the wine while playing on the course...don't ask what we used for cups, you don't want to know!

Again, not the ideal setting or conditions...but it helped make it a special day for all of us as a group.

I was going through my cellar and found either a 78 or 79. It must have been a gift since I don't remember buying anything between 1975 and 1999. Also found an 81 Barolo. Guess I have to try them.

Just curious if any of you bought any Gruaud-Larose 2000 futures? I thought they were offering a relatively good deal at The Wine Club several months ago.

I bought a whole 3 bottles of Gruaud-Larose 2000 futures, the only high-end (for me) one I bought. Paid CAD$89, maybe USD$56 per bottle.

Board-O: As the resident Gruaud-Larose expert, any comments on 2000 futures, and/or prices paid?

I was able to buy a case of the 2000 for about $38 a bottle. Lord knows when the wine will ever be ready to drink, based on what I've read and the age that previous vintages have required.

bman & sinequanon

The 2000 Bordeaux tasting notes done by James Suckling and posted on March 28, 2001 here on WS rates the 2000 Ch. Gruaud-Larose 95-100 pts.
Don't know what R. Parker rates it?

bman, where did you buy your futures on this wine? Vintages didn't offer it!
$89.00 Cdn????

sinequanon, where did you buy yours?
$38.00 US a bottle seems awful cheap!!!

Heck, if the places you both bought at still has some futures available at those prices...'I'm in like Flynn.'
Please reply!

Vintages had it when I ordered, in the first tranche, but it's all gone now I think.

I ordered it from Sherry-Lehmann in June last year, also in the first tranche. I went back and checked and the price was $35.50/bottle, excluding shipping and insurance. Unfortunately, that price is long gone.

I bought six bottles at $58. Looks like some of you outshopped me.

I opened our final bottle of the '78 G-L tonight. The wine was a medium-dark red purple with a beautiful fragrant nose cedar and damp earth and it opened more fully within an hour to the perfume of St. julien. There's no mistaking this nose for an American wine.The astringency of the wine detracted from the complexity, and I would have preferred a little more fruit. Actually I would have preferred a lot more fruit. Overall, it was a solid Bordeaux with no delusions of grabdeur. 88.

Just one more sip.

Nice to see your TN on this Board-O. You're right, this is not a fruit-forward wine, but a very rustic earthy one. A question of style-preference? I loved exactly its deep earthyness and leather tones. I have 2 bottles left and try to keep them for another year or two.

Anche Dio è di-vino

Has anyone had much experience with the second wine of Gruaud Larose (Sarget) recently? What is its typical period to maturity? I bought a case of the 2000. Thank you.

Board-O, Two years ago I had the G-L 1979. I found it good, classic, but with a not too impressive finish. Good, not outstanding, starting to show a bit of its age. I asume you had it too? What were your thoughts. We didn't decant the bottle and the foodmatch (cabbage) was not ideal...

And as a finishing touch, God created the Dutch!

NDD, I've had more Gruaud-Larose than any other Bordeaux, but, for some reason I don't remember, I never had the '79. I'm well-stocked on the '82 and '86 which should be outstanding when ready. The '86s will need more time (I tried one not too long ago- not ready) and the 82s will be started soon.

Just one more sip.

B-O

I know it's infanticide, but have you tried any of the 1990 yet, and if so what did you think.

-Brett

Bret, I bought six bottles of the '90 Gruaud-Larose when first released. I have a total of maybe 5 cases of '90 Bordeaux and I've only tried one out of those 5 cases so far, and it was a Gruaud-Larose, about 6 months ago. I didn't write notes on it, but in my cellar list I wrote the following: "Wait until 2005 at least for the next bottle."

I don't really remember my opinion of the wine, but I would have if it were special. When I wrote to wait at least three more years to try the next, I'm sure I felt it was still pretty far from ready.

Just one more sip.