Castle Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 2001

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe9/1/2016

A dense and decadent wine with chocolate, currant and licorice aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. A beautiful wine now. It shows the finesse and class of an aged Bordeaux.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/31/2012

Tasted at the chateau at their “-1”vertical, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The 2001 Gruaud Larose has a very attractive, quite fleshy bouquet with ebullient crushed raspberries, mulberry, allspice and a touch of cumin. Good definition and vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with quite thick, chewy tannins that perhaps lack the finesse that more recent vintages have demonstrated. Very good weight, a little grittiness coming towards the finish with notes of tar and cedar beginning to usurp the primary fruit. This 2001 (like many in its alumni) is in its transitional stage. Very fine. Tasted April 2011.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/1/2009

A dark garnet hue. The nose is reticent at first, but develops some attractive aromas of raspberry, cranberry, wild hedgerow and a hint of tobacco. Good definition but it is tightly-coiled, ready to spring a few surprises in the future. There is just a faint greenness hovering in the background. The palate has a soft entry, quite toasty with blackberry, cedar and a touch of cooked meats, leading to a soft landing on the finish. Good balance, quite approachable now, although I would leave another 3-4 years. An elegant, supple Saint Julien. Drink 2010-2018. Tasted September 2008.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2004

Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St.-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple color along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black currants, plums, licorice, and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, and a plump, expansive, plush texture, this is an atypically forward Gruaud Larose to drink now and over the next 12-14 years.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

This shows a rich and dense nose of blackberry, coffee and smoke. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and a long, smoky finish. Very fresh and velvety. GL is really doing excellent things these days, even in less-than-easy vintages. Best after 2008. 2,455 cases made.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

This wine performed much more consistently during its first year of life. Prior to being bottled, it shows a deep ruby/purple color, a sweet, earthy nose of melted licorice intermixed with compost, black currants, mint, tar, and underbrush. The wine has excellent depth, relatively large structure, impressive weight, richness, yet at the same time, elegance and purity. This Gruaud seems to be pulling itself together, and certainly looks to be a potentially outstanding wine with good aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.

Wine Advocate

87-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

I tasted this wine three times. Gruaud Larose's hard, dry, astringent tannin gives it a certain austerity. It also appears to lack sufficient substance and fat to cover the massive structure. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of underbrush, tar, mint, and black currants. The big framework is there, but the charm, flesh, and richness are seemingly inadequate. Whether or not it will put on weight during cask aging remains to be seen. I suspect it will reveal more texture in a year, but I cannot see it ever performing up to the quality of the spectacular 2000 or charming 1999.