Chateau Gruaud Larose, 1996 Red Wine
Saint-Julien
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price:
$129.72 USD
Out of stock
Description
The 1996 appears to be a potential sleeper of the vintage, and may merit an outstanding score. It is a powerful, bulky style of Gruaud-Larose, with a dark ruby/purple color, and plenty of cassis, spicy new oak, and roasted herbs in the jammy nose. On the palate, the wine has lost much of the forward precociousness it was revealing last spring, now boasting loads of tannin in its powerful, muscular flavors. It seemed much softer when I first tasted it, but the wine has put on weight and gained considerable structure. It now appears this husky wine has the potential for long-term cellaring.
Gruaud-Larose was purchased in 1997 by Jacques Merlaut, the well-known proprietor of many other chateaux, including Chasse-Spleen. Merlaut was not responsible for making the 1996 or 1995, but is responsible for their elevage and bottling.
***Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #115Feb 1998***
Condition
Very good