April 10, 2024 - Served blind by my wife, which is always a fun exercise.
Nose: Gorgeous cedar, tobacco, blackberry and cassis. Leather and a hint of brett, but not a ton. Showing red berries and spice as well at times. Palate: Reflecting the nose well, with dark cassis, berries, cedar and cigar box. Very masculine, but a mid bodied wine that has surprising depth. Finish: Cedar spice and warm cherry notes. A hug from St. Julien.
This wine is showing so well right now. I did not identify this as from an off vintage. In fact I was convinced it was the more lovely 1995 LB tasting it blind. This is fresh and cedary with great black fruit. Great point to pop a cork, but you have time.
December 29, 2023 - Cedar, red fruit and earth, forest floor and some spice. Excellent with the herbal rack of lamb and the baked potatoes. The cork broke but the wine was still good.
June 5, 2023 - Fully mature, rich in earth, red potpourri and now developing warm baking spices and tamarind flesh, telling me its on a decline. Really excellent terriatary bordeaux flavors with a bit of old Sangiovese vibes skipping across the finish. As usual, Gruaud made another classic wine in the ugly ducking vintage...DRINK
August 23, 2022 - Another half bottle.
This wine peaked a couple of years ago.
Terribly underrated.
Great value. How often do you say that nowadays?
July 23, 2022 - It was bought based on CT’s member remarks for my son’s birthday (also born in 1997). Slow ox for 6 hours then decanted just before the start of dinner. Classic Bordeaux at peak with nice tertiary flavours fully developed. Sleeper for the vintage and excellent QPR. Drink!
October 8, 2021 - Still drinking really well. Opened for 3 hours and then decanted for about an hour before drinking. Probably could have used more time as was still a bit closed.
October 4, 2021 - Classic, old school Bordeaux. Great freshness and complexity for the age. Beautiful nose of cedar and earth, in a light, burgundian style. Thank you critics for marking this as an off vintage in general. Drink
February 21, 2021 - Same.
Decant this wine just before serving.
Cooler vintage but excellent wine.
January 23, 2021 - Drinking really well right now; even in half bottle.
Remarkable for what was a very average vintage in terms of ripeness.
Still a classic Medoc wine. Was this one of the last vintages where you can make that claim?
October 17, 2020 - Drinking really well. Not as complex as I would have liked, but a beautiful St Julian nonetheless. Opened about 4 hours before drinking and then decanted.