1992 Gruaud Larose
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Tasting notes
The 1992 Gruaud Larose has retained a youthful color with just a faint degradation on the rim. The nose has a leafy tincture, although there is a respectable amount of fruit: blackberry, boysenberry, leather and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied and is not as attractive as the nose. The tannins are solid rather than elegant, and they sag a little in the middle. It has good substance for a 1992, but the finish is austere, lacks freshness after twenty years, and lacks persistence. It comes across as a little dour and moribund. Tasted in April 2012 at the "-2 vintage" vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The black/purple-colored 1992 gives evidence that Gruaud-Larose may have returned to the forceful, robust, muscular style that made the estate famous. In general, the 1992 vintage did not produce big, rich wines, but this effort from Gruaud-Larose is a reassuringly large-scaled, dense, powerful, rich, thick wine. The 1992 is more cleanly made than the leathery, "bret"-tinged 1991, exhibits gobs of earthy, rich, peppery, blackcurrant, and herbal fruit flavors, low acidity, and a thick, chewy, lush finish. The wine's tannin is noticeable, but well integrated, making this wine appealing today, yet capable of 8-10 years of evolution.
The black/purple-colored 1992 gives evidence that Gruaud-Larose may have returned to the forceful, robust, muscular style that made the estate famous. In general, the 1992 vintage did not produce big, rich wines, but this effort from Gruaud-Larose is a reassuringly large-scaled, dense, powerful, rich, thick wine. The 1992 is more cleanly made than the leathery, "bret"-tinged 1991, exhibits gobs of earthy, rich, peppery, blackcurrant, and herbal fruit flavors, low acidity, and a thick, chewy, lush finish. The wine's tannin is noticeable, but well integrated, making this wine appealing today, yet capable of 8-10 years of evolution. Dec 1994, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Ch. Gruaud Larose is a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. It is often considered one of the best-value Left Bank estates, with the wines occasionally matching those of the First Growths.