„Tasted at the chateau at their “-1”vertical, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The 2001 Gruaud Larose has a very attractive, quite fleshy bouquet with ebullient crushed raspberries, mulberry, allspice and a touch of cumin. Good definition and vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with quite thick, chewy tannins that perhaps lack the finesse that more recent vintages have demonstrated. Very good weight, a little grittiness coming towards the finish with notes of tar and cedar beginning to usurp the primary fruit. This 2001 (like many in its alumni) is in its transitional stage. Very fine.“
Neal Martin 90 Punkte (Apr. 2011)
„Tasted at an off-line lunch at The Ledbury. The ’01 Gruaud is developing a broody, tarry nose with cranberry and raspberry, inflected with pine and underbrush, perhaps just a little brett? Then, iodine with aeration. The texture is a little harder than previous bottles, suggesting that this wine is firming up and becoming more masculine. Lots of cedar and meaty notes towards the finish, but overall it seems to be amidst a sullen stage. Drink 2013-2020.“
Neal Martin 90 Punkte (Okt. 2009)
„Tasted at the chateau. A dark garnet hue. The nose is reticent at first, but develops some attractive aromas of raspberry, cranberry, wild hedgerow and a hint of tobacco. Good definition but it is tightly-coiled, ready to spring a few surprises in the future. There is just a faint greenness hovering in the background. The palate has a soft entry, quite toasty with blackberry, cedar and a touch of cooked meats, leading to a soft landing on the finish. Good balance, quite approachable now, although I would leave another 3-4 years. An elegant, supple Saint Julien. Drink 2010-2018.“
Neal Martin 91 Punkte (Sep. 2008)
„This lacks a little vigour on the nose, a little flat and mushroomy/farmyard. Brett? Gruaud Larose? The palate is full-bodied with good grip, furry tannins, moderate acidity with a dense, masculine finish. Very backward and surly – needs time. Not a purist’s Saint Julien but full of character.“
Neal Martin 91 Punkte (Okt. 2007)
„Surprisingly accessible as well as supple, this 2001 St.-Julien reveals a deep plum/purple color along with a rich bouquet of smoke, roasted vegetables, black currants, plums, licorice, and Asian spices. Velvety-textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, and a plump, expansive, plush texture, this is an atypically forward Gruaud Larose to drink now and over the next 12-14 years.“
Robert Parker 90 Punkte (Juni 2004)
„This wine performed much more consistently during its first year of life. Prior to being bottled, it shows a deep ruby/purple color, a sweet, earthy nose of melted licorice intermixed with compost, black currants, mint, tar, and underbrush. The wine has excellent depth, relatively large structure, impressive weight, richness, yet at the same time, elegance and purity. This Gruaud seems to be pulling itself together, and certainly looks to be a potentially outstanding wine with good aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.“
Robert Parker 89-91 Punkte (Apr. 2003)
„I tasted this wine three times. Gruaud Larose's hard, dry, astringent tannin gives it a certain austerity. It also appears to lack sufficient substance and fat to cover the massive structure. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of underbrush, tar, mint, and black currants. The big framework is there, but the charm, flesh, and richness are seemingly inadequate. Whether or not it will put on weight during cask aging remains to be seen. I suspect it will reveal more texture in a year, but I cannot see it ever performing up to the quality of the spectacular 2000 or charming 1999.“
Robert Parker 87-88 Punkte (Apr. 2002)
„In April 2002 at the London Wine Trade Fair. Fine deep hue. Very dense nose: black olives, gravel on nose. Fine depth and very impressive integration. Succulent red fruits with spicy/toasty finish. Very fine. Maybe even better than the 2000? Again in Bordeaux in April 2003 where it was backward but with great purity. One off bottle, then a splendid example at Justerini a year later. The nose is quite closed: faint scents of blackberry and wet sand and gravel. The palate is ripe, opulent with vibrant fresh acidity. Very fleshy with good weight and a touch of black truffle on the toasty finish. Excellent.“
Neal Martin 92-94 Punkte (Apr. 2002)
Quelle: www.robertparker.com