Chateau Gruaud Larose 2005

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles Violett mit fast schwarzem Schimmer darin. Reiches, fast rahmiges Bouquet, schwarze Johannisbeeren, viel Black Currant, Tiefe anzeigende Teernoten, würzig, Trüffelhauch. Grosser Gaumenauftritt, noble Tannine, reiche Adstringenz, feste Statur, ein extremes Aromenkonzentrat, rauchiger Cabernet und viel Lakritze im nach unendlich vielen verschiedenen schwarzen Beeren schmeckenden Finale."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2005 Gruaud Larose is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. It needs a moment of swirling to bring out fragrant notes of rosehip tea, crushed rocks, dried lavender, and red loam leading to a core of prunes, redcurrant jelly, and black truffles. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with energetic black and red berry layers supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and minerally."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This tastes of great Cabernet Sauvignon, with its black currant, cedar and herbs and fresh, juicy acidity. It is as fresh as it is rich, but it has a structure of dense tannins that balances the wine. This is one of the best wines from Gruaud-Larose for several years."

FALSTAFF: "Echte Kenner trinken zum Fondue Bordeaux. Hier passen fruchtige Exemplare ebenso wie gereiftere Typen. Der Gruaud-Larose ist mit guter dunkler Frucht unterlegt und zeigt zarte Reifenoten. Am Gaumen saftig, stoffig, mit dunkler Beerenfrucht mit fester Tanninstruktur und animierender Frische im Finale."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Aromas of blackberry, meat and earth follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a rich finish. Decadent, balanced and very approachable already. I thought it would have been a little better than this."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2005 Gruaud Larose has a deep ruby/purple color, excellent concentration, and clean, pure black and red currant fruit, licorice and spice. It is medium to full-bodied, lush, and very soft and round. I’m surprised how drinkable it is already, although it is certainly capable of lasting 15 or more years."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Fully mature, with a pretty, perfumed, almost understated style, the 2005 Château Gruaud Larose has classic red and black fruits, spicy herbs, leather, and some underbrush notes in a medium-bodied, balanced, silky package that's drinking nicely today. There's no upside here, but it will clearly continue evolving for another decade or more."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Medium bodied, bright and fresh, with a lean to the red fruit side of the style range, the wine is better on the nose than the palate, finishing with crisp, crunchy, sweet and tart red fruits. This will develop more secondary aromas, but it´s probably going to retain its style."