6 magnums per lot
Details
GRUAUD LAROSE
Though rated a second growth in the Classification of 1855, Château Gruaud Larose at times seems to garner less respect and remuneration than some of its fellow St. Juliens. This is partly due to the difficulty of tasting and accessing this traditional and uncompromising claret in its youth. Sturdy and full-bodied wines with excellent depth and concentration, good old Gruauds are just hitting their full stride in their thirties and forties, while others are fading or needing explanations of their fallen dignity. At a tasting of twenty seven vintages back to 1928 that I organized from my cellar three years ago, the remarkable consistency of the château through the decades became readily apparent. The critically acclaimed '82 and '86 came out of their shell and starry aspirations with the tumble of double decanting and gentle swirling; but were brought back to earth by an otherworldly nineteen sixty-one, which along with the victory vintage, was simply sublime and celestial.
JC
Château Gruaud-Larose--Vintage 1961
Saint-Julien, 2me cru classé
All lots: excellent appearance and levels; late release
Lot 73-74 in original wooden cases
"Ripe, expansive bouquet; sweet, soft, rich, rounded, with good length and lovely finish. Another fleshy bottle in 1998 lunching in Albany, Piccadilly, with Michael Edwards and Hugo Kindersley. Last noted at the La Réserve tasting of '61s, March 1999. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
6 magnums per lot
Though rated a second growth in the Classification of 1855, Château Gruaud Larose at times seems to garner less respect and remuneration than some of its fellow St. Juliens. This is partly due to the difficulty of tasting and accessing this traditional and uncompromising claret in its youth. Sturdy and full-bodied wines with excellent depth and concentration, good old Gruauds are just hitting their full stride in their thirties and forties, while others are fading or needing explanations of their fallen dignity. At a tasting of twenty seven vintages back to 1928 that I organized from my cellar three years ago, the remarkable consistency of the château through the decades became readily apparent. The critically acclaimed '82 and '86 came out of their shell and starry aspirations with the tumble of double decanting and gentle swirling; but were brought back to earth by an otherworldly nineteen sixty-one, which along with the victory vintage, was simply sublime and celestial.
JC
Château Gruaud-Larose--Vintage 1961
Saint-Julien, 2me cru classé
All lots: excellent appearance and levels; late release
Lot 73-74 in original wooden cases
"Ripe, expansive bouquet; sweet, soft, rich, rounded, with good length and lovely finish. Another fleshy bottle in 1998 lunching in Albany, Piccadilly, with Michael Edwards and Hugo Kindersley. Last noted at the La Réserve tasting of '61s, March 1999. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
6 magnums per lot
Special notice
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