Gruaud Larose - St. Julien 1982 (US Label)

Gruaud Larose - St. Julien 1982 (US Label)A massive wine that is clearly of first growth quality in this vintage, the 1982 Gruaud Larose remains a youngster. A broodingly dense, thick, unctuously textured, inky plum garnet purple color offers up scents of beef blood, steak tartare, cassis, herbs, tobacco, and underbrush. One of the most concentrated wines of the vintage (as well as one of the most concentrated Bordeauxs I have ever tasted), it is a huge, full bodied, weighty, rich wine whose

Like the Poisets this is notably rich with its relatively large-scaled flavors that also enjoy good density thanks to the abundant dry extract that also coats the palate and pushes the firmer supporting tannins to the background

well-integrated tannin

Relatively heavy reduction renders the nose unreadable

earth and humus nuances

The Climens 2001 has always possessed a deliriously complex and intense bouquet that is beautifully defined: dried quince and marmalade

Following on the heels of the monster-sized '89

currant and licorice aromas

Azsu-paste and a mango-scented nose that is incredibly intense

the expressive nose displays fully mature aromas and the initial hints of sous-bois

I would further note that the 2017 is a relatively elegant example and

This velvety but relatively powerful wine exhibits good delineation for the vintage as well as moderate austerity which is also relatively rare in this opulent year

This terrific effort has evolved beautifully and still closely resembles my original tasting note from 2008 with its knockout nose that is classic Amoureuses as it combines seductive spice and a ripe blend of red