Chateau Gruaud Larose 2005

"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."

94 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Deep ruby. Fresh aromas of blackberry, kirsch, cedar and leather. Intensely flavored and powerful, with very fresh, precise flavors of dark berries, cigar box, violet, licorice, espresso and bitter chocolate. Offers an enticing combination of ripeness and acidity, of power and elegance. Juicy, primary, penetrating wine, not as pliant as some. Finishes with sweet, nicely enrobed tannins. A very good showing. 90-93"

93 Points

International Wine Cellar

"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."

91 Points

Wine Spectator

"Licorice spice and tough black tannins form tight boundaries around this wine. Within them, sweet red fruit lends a gracious impression, gentle and refined. Age will allow the wine to expand as the tannins relent, but this offers impressive drinking now, particularly if decanted with steak."

91 Points

Wine & Spirits

"Fairly complex and nicely fruited, but not among the deeper or the concentrated of the 2005s, this silky and relatively mannerly wine shows elements of cherries, cassis, tobacco and a touch of earth in both scent and taste. It picks up an edge of last-minute tannins, but it is comparatively easy to taste now and does not demand lengthy time in the cellar."

90 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide