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Gruaud Larose 1990

St Julien, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes

Tasted in that well-known Bordeaux appellation called "Burgundy," the 1990 Château Gruaud Larose is a Saint Julien that has always flirted with funkiness. Here that came through quite strongly on this occasion, partly because it was juxtaposed against the purity of the 1990 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge. That does not detract from a thoroughly enjoyable wine. The nose shows just a touch of brettanomyces here, soft black fruit with melted tar, graphite, leather and game. The palate has a gaminess from start to finish, carrying the warmth of that summer into the glass, melted tannins with just a touch of dryness towards the finish. It is a pleasurable, if not intellectual Saint Julien to drink over the next 15 years. Tasted June 2015.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 July 2016

Meaty, smoky, sweet berry and black currant characteristics intertwined with roasted herb, charcoal, new saddle leather, and bloody steak juice-like notes are found in this lush, full-bodied, opulent wine. It is a fully mature 1990 that, given its depth and intensity, should continue to evolve for at least another 15 years. Release price: ($350.00/case)

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2024 30 June 2009

Gruaud-Larose was superb at the most recent tasting. Moreover, this might be a 1990 that is still affordable. The wine exhibits a thick-looking, plum/purple/garnet-like color. A sensational nose of jammy black-cherries, earth, cedar, and herbs has become far more intense and striking. The wine displays sensational richness and power, but not quite the burly, monstrous size and hulking weight of the 1986 or 1982. Yet it reveals impressive stuffing and power. The low acidity emphasizes the thick, juicy, succulent fruit in this backward yet rich, chewy wine. This was the finest showing yet for the 1990 Gruaud Larose.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 1999-2020 01 February 1997

Although the 1990's nose is still closed, it does offer woodsy, herb, and black fruit aromas. There is power, a structured, medium to full-bodied taste profile, and fine stuffing and depth. Nevertheless, I cannot help but wonder if Gruaud-Larose is intentionally producing less of a blockbuster style. I hope not.

Score: 88

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 1997-2015 01 August 1993

Deep crimson, but with some evolution. Sweet but quite simple nose of ripe fruit. Relatively simple nose with hints of rhubarb. And rather one-dimensional palate too. Tough tannins. Touch of California about this wine. Quite attractive young wine with some spice.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2008-2018 06 October 2005

Jammy nose, with hints of beetroot. Round and juicy, with velvety tannins. Nice wine. But slighlty unexciting. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Drink now. 32,000 cases made.

Score: 89

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 28 February 2005

Medium red. Slightly warm aromas of cherry, leather and earth; following the Ducru flight, this came across as a bit rustic in character. Very sweet, broad and powerful, with a roasted marzipan-like quality and fruit of steel. Plenty of structure here. Finishes long and ripely tannic. Drink 2005 through 2020.

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar Maturity: 2005-2020 01 July 2002