1988 CHÂTEAU GRUAUD LAROSE 1988

(11-1998) This tight and powerful red has lots of tannin and fruit concentration. Full-bodied, with lovely violet and berry aromas and flavors. Built for aging.--1988 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2002.

(12-2012) A beautiful, medium bodied red Bordeaux still in its prime even in a half bottle format. Wine has notes of mushrooms, leather, earth, sweet spices and supple, velvety tannins. Compared to a full 750ml bottle, this half bottle of Gruaud Larose is more evolved and even more enjoyable. This is a bottle acquired at least 10 years ago from auction in the US and it was originally imported by Chateau & Estates. The wine is in great condition.

(09-1994) Burgundy red color. Dark. Intense. Slightly evolved. Nose of medium intensity. First animal, the wine evolves on wood and sage aromas. With the agitation of the fruit and an impression of power. Soft attack. The wine develops on a round structure, quite fat and aromatic on the mid-palate. We find the whole nose with a little lack of fresh fruit. The tannin is well balanced but nonetheless firm with a pronounced, somewhat rustic extraction. Warm tip on the finish.

(06-2011) Tasted at The Ledbury Gruaud Larose lunch, the 1988 is a commendable wine from the estate. It takes time to unfurl on the nose, so afford bottles say one-hour of decanting. It eventually offers dusty red fruit, fireside hearth and just a soupcon of cherry liqueur that disappears and is replaced by truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of hardness on the entry. Certainly, in keeping with the vintage it is more austere than the 1989, but it has a lovely tobacco-infused finish that shows good length, if not astounding complexity. Very fine. Tasted June 2011.