March 27, 2024 - This is what I imagine it would’ve been like to drink a decent Bordeaux 2 to 3 decades ago. The tannins have moderated, and the alcohol, 13%, seems slight by modern standards. Well balanced with some jammy fruit, blackberry, and a hint of cherry upfront, over the substructure of tobacco and old leather. A reasonable density of flavor, with a little funk. Not a long finish, but the overall effect is so astoundingly charming that it’s worth it. I gave this a 93 because it does not overwhelm the palate as other recent vintages do, but I rate it higher than that for people who love old-school Bordeaux.
March 25, 2024 - Jane Anson rates this very highly. But I don't get it and I have tasted it many times. It is a well balanced wine with nice fruit, but it is rather light and has a short finish. Will wait longer in the hope that it improves (but seems unlikely), as is not showing signs of fading.
February 2, 2024 - Last night we had a vertical tasting of the ‘89, 2000, and 2005 with a Spanish tapas dinner. All wines were outstanding and surprisingly vibrant with a fruit core and distinct earthy, herby attribute typical of Gruaud Larose. We and our guests however found the 2000 marginally the best of the three. The 05 improved in the glass immeasurably in the glass and has more years to reach its peak.
December 25, 2023 - Required a good long decant but this wine performed beautifully. The aromas and palate were classic left bank with a bit of the funk for which this estate is known. Paired wonderfully with a Christmas rob roast. Give it time and it’ll show well
December 10, 2023 - Decanted for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Aromas of leather, matchstick, blackberry and iron. Flavors of blackberry, currant, iron, cherry and tobacco. Ends with 25+ second finish with iron and blackberry notes. Nice fruit still. Starting the develop a bit more. Never going to be a blockbuster but a very good wine.
November 14, 2023 - Crimson and correct. Cassis plum and iron filings on the nose (and after significant decanter time, developing tobacco and wet leaf - and my wife picked out a whiff of oak). Super silky tannins (takes me back to Silk Road, Beijing!), medium to full bodied and with well judged acidity. There is plum, cassis and pencil lead on the palate and the finish gives an overall feeling that one is drinking something regal and effortlessly noble. Initially drunk after 1 hour decant with dinner where it was a perfect match. Post dinner without cuisine it seemed more obviously youthful. I would still say "full steam ahead" and reach for these if they are in your cellar - very much good to go - although should keep for a long while. 13% ABV
October 23, 2023 - Stored properly since release. 2 hours in the glass was about right. I wouldn’t decant this more than an hour as this is certainly in its prime and best consumed within the next 5-7 years. Overall, a well balanced wine that falls short on the finish and is a bit linear mid way through. However, given the price on this, this provides good value for an 18 year old wine with plenty of availability in the US. Revisit 2024
October 19, 2023 - Opened the next to last bottle 10/19/23. Showing signs of peaking with brown tinge on edges of glassware. Still has lovely fruit and earthy notes but opened up after an hour. Drink up the final bottle.
October 15, 2023 - Retains good colour; complex nose, secondary notes which include that characteristic Cordier rustic edge; fully integrated palate, harmonious; mature yet depth to age well. Old school, correctly done claret.
September 16, 2023 - This is in a great place and is firing on all cylinders. Great representation of Bordeaux coming into its own. It’s still so young and packing a lot of fruit, but some secondary notes are starting to come through. Maintains a nice balance and the tannin structure is supportive of the fruit.