Gruaud Larose 2000

Bright ruby. Liqueur-like aromas of roasted black raspberry, leather and grilled nuts. Lush, sweet and thick, with an almost unctuous texture and terrific volume. A wine of compelling sweetness and chewiness, not to mention sheer mouthfilling size. Finishes with huge, broad, sweet tannins and lingering notes of blackcurrant, coffee and leather. Classic, thoroughly ripe Gruaud-Larose.

There’s nice richness here, with velvety-textured blackberry, fig and boysenberry confiture flavors rolling through, edged by a graphite note that slowly takes over on the finish. This has serious spine, with tar and ganache echoes hanging in the background, boding well for continued development.

A very strong effort for Gruaud Larose, possibly eclipsed by what they have done in 2009, this is a pure, full-bodied Gruaud Larose with plenty of new saddle leather, cedar wood, black currants, cherries, licorice, and Provencal herbs. Spicy, earthy, full-bodied, and rich, it has hit its plateau of full maturity, where it should stay for another 20 or more years.

The first year of Michel Reybier’s ownership and presumably too early to see the results. Blackish crimson. Quite evolved nose – very tertiary – with a layer of ripeness. Round and supple but not quite as concentrated and ambitious as the 2005. Just a little skinny – perhaps the selection wasn’t quite as rigorous as in 2005? A very slight greenness, as though some less than perfectly ripe fruit was included. Not a glorious 2000. Jancis Robinson