Château Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 2008 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

While the 2008 is not a blockbuster, it is a strong effort for the vintage. This dark plum/purple-hued wine reveals some background oak, licorice, earth, plum, black currant and cherry notes intertwined with a foresty/mossy component. Deep, polished and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, it builds incrementally on the palate. This impressive 2008 will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and should drink well for two decades. Drink 2013-2033

Jamessuckling.com

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe12/20/2010

A delicate and refined red, with blueberry, spices and meat aromas. Medium body, with fine tannins and a earty finish. Almost Burgundian in style. Try after 2012.

Falstaff

87-89 / 100

the6/30/2009

Kräftiges Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase verhalten tabakig unterlegtes Brombeerkonfit, reife dunkle Beerenfrucht, zarte Karamellnoten. Am gaumen süß und rund, sehr charmant, gut integrierte Tannine, bleibt gut haften, angenehme Schokonote im Nachhall, feine Röstaromen im Rückgeschmack.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-89 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/28/2009

WeinWisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/5/2009

Dunkles Granat mittlerer Tiefe. Feines, dezent laktisches Bouquet mit gewisser Tiefe, Waldfrüchte und Brombeeren. Im Gaumen eher leicht und elegant, delikate Tannine, viel Saft, aber etwas zu wenig Konzentration und Fleisch, um seinen Jahrgangsvorgängern oder auch der vergleichbaren aktuellen Konkurrenz standzuhalten. 2017 – 2032

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2009

While it is not the 2000 or 1990, the 2008 is the finest Gruaud Larose I have tasted in eight years. Not a blockbuster, it is more beefy and dense than other recent vintages, revealing notes of pine forest, smoke, herbs, licorice, black currants, and cedar. With high but ripe tannins, medium to full body, and a strong finish, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should keep for 20 years thereafter. 89-91+

La Revue du Vin de France

14,5-15,5 / 20

the4/29/2009

2008 est le premier millésime élaboré et suivi par Eric Boissénot, le successeur de Georges Pauly, l'oenologue de Gruaud Larose parti à la retraite en 2007. Une année qui a beaucoup inquiété l'équipe de Gruaud en raison de ses faibles rendrements et de son potentiel d'alcool. Avec davantage de merlot (34%), le vin joue moins l'esprit sudiste que d'habitude. Le style évolue vers un profil plus friand et gourmand, correspondant plus aux canons de la consommation actuelle.

TAST

17,5 / 20

the4/23/2009

Splendide nez de framboise, nuancé de notes d’anis, de réglisse, de cèdre, délicieux velouté de texture, grande vinosité, tanin fin, un rien moins de précision à ce stade dans la définition générale du vin que pour les deux Léoville, mais promesses identiques.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2009

Mid crimson with a pale rim. Very sweet for a St-Julien. Almost right bank ripeness. Sweet start. Not as classical as most St-Juliens. More forward and winning! Attractive drink for the medium term. Hint of chocolate even. Medium charge of tannins. Polished silky texture. Very beguiling. Drink 2013-21

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/14/2009

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. Moderate intensity on the nose, black fruits, a touch of soot, tobacco and smoke. Good definition but needs to coalesce. The palate is medium-bodied, grainy tannins, nice weight and acidity. Fresh and as always, full of character. The finish has a touch of spice and cedar to it – more Cabernet than usual. This is a restrained but nicely focused Gruaud. Tasted April 2009.

Decanter Magazine

15.50 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2009

Deep purple-red, plummy and ripe blackcurrant fruit, but quite broad and jammy and seems to lack definition, pleasant but not persistent enough. Drink 2014-20.

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2009

Plummy and perfumed, with sweet spices and currants. Lovely subtle nose. Full- to medium-bodied, with fine tannins and lovely balance. Ripe and pretty fruit. Could get even better.