Gruaud Larose - Saint-Julien 1996

Vinous

91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe4/1/2013

(64% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot; IPT 74; 13% alcohol): Dark ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee and lavender accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. Enters bright and fresh, then turns richer in the middle, with accessible plum, herb and coffee flavors persisting nicely on the peppery finish, which features chewy tannins. This is at once more herbal and more forward than the 1995. It's also better than I remember it, and although still quite young it offers plenty of appeal. The wine's harmonious acidity makes it seem lighter-bodied than it is. About 40% of the malolactic fermentation was carried out in barriques, compared to a normal one-third. Note that the label states 12.5% alcohol, but the data given to me by the estate shows 13% alcohol. 91+

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

the1/1/2007

Violet, blackberry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a medium finish. Ready.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. —

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

In the bottle, Gruaud Larose appears to have returned to the form it possessed when I first tasted it from cask - a stylish, surprisingly civilized, medium-bodied wine without the muscle and power expected from both this terroir and vintage. It still possesses excellent density, as well as roasted herb, licorice, and black currant flavors intermixed with incense-like smells. The wine is medium to full-bodied, pure, rich, and forward. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1999

Harmonious and pretty. Good color, with plenty of tobacco, berry and mushroom character, a hint of iodine. Full-bodied, with polished, silky tannins and a long aftertaste of tobacco, cedar and vanilla. Best after 2001.

Wine Advocate

88-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

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. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1997

The 1996 is a surprisingly forward, attractive, less muscular style of Gruaud-Larose. One-third of the production was declassified for a second wine, with one-third of the malolactic fermentation done in barrel. The result is a forward, deep purple-colored wine with a sweet blueberry, kirsch, and jammy cherry-scented nose, medium body, more plushness and up-front fruit than most of the more serious wines of the vintage, and attractive fat and depth. This medium-bodied, moderately tannic wine is destined to evolve quickly, although it will last for 15 or more years. Critics of the old, muscular, super-powerful, full-bodied Gruaud-Laroses that often exhibited earthy, leathery, animal notes along with their layers of concentrated fruit, may be even more fond of this new style of wine.