94 2000 Chateau Gruaud Larose (Saint Julien) 4/14/17 ($50 on futures)
12.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet with some browning at the rim, but no clearing to speak of. (3.5) Bouquet Musky gray clay intertwined with pretty red and black cassis. (3.5) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent acidity and very good fruit, silky tannins underneath. Tangy mouthfeel that coats somewhat. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not as distinctive or expressive. (3.0) Finish: Long and pretty with nuances of gray clay, forest floor and ground nuts, then the fruit sneeks in at the end, giving it old claret sweetness. Best part. (3.5)
Overall: I drank this 3 years ago and it was restrained in fruit and slightly astringent, just made excellent (91pts). It is much more pretty now and more expressive both in complexity and subtle fruit. Have to say I'm very pleasantly surprised! This is what old claret is supposed to taste like. A Cabernet based Bordeaux blend that started life as a lion has turned into a lamb. Elegant and complex with just the right amount of fruit. Classy! Drink now and in the next few years. (16.5)
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