Château Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

$319

There seems to be no doubt about the quality of the 1986 Gruaud-Larose, which in 20 years should rival the extraordinary 1990, 1982, 1961, 1949, and 1928 made at this vast estate. From the first time I tasted this wine in cask, I have thought it to be among the blockbusters of the vintage. It has a black/purple color, mammoth structure, a fabulous wealth of fruit, and a finish that seems to last several minutes. This is indeed first-growth quality, but then, when, in the last decade, has a Gruaud-Larose not matched the quality of the first-growths?... Robert Parker

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Ratings on Delectable

Cathy Corison Delectable Pro

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

Tasting group 1st, my 1st. Dust, flowers, cassis, plums. Hint of mint. Grippy.

Tasting group 1st, my 1st. Dust, flowers, cassis, plums. Hint of mint. Grippy.

9.3

Cathy Corison Delectable Pro

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

Tasting group 5th, my rating 2nd. Mineral, Cassis. Quiet. Nicely grippy

Tasting group 5th, my rating 2nd. Mineral, Cassis. Quiet. Nicely grippy

9.1

Cathy Corison Delectable Pro

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

Tasting group rating 3rd, my rating 3rd. Anise, plums. Getting a bit tired

Tasting group rating 3rd, my rating 3rd. Anise, plums. Getting a bit tired

8.9

Cathy Corison Delectable Pro

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

Tasting group. My ranking 4th, group ranking 2nd. Spice. Meat. Mineral.

Tasting group. My ranking 4th, group ranking 2nd. Spice. Meat. Mineral.

8.9

Cathy Corison Delectable Pro

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

Tasting group. My ranking 5th, group ranking 4th. Meat, flowers. Fairly Pretty. Tad tired

Tasting group. My ranking 5th, group ranking 4th. Meat, flowers. Fairly Pretty. Tad tired

8.6

Mike Saviage Delectable Pro

Great looking bottle with an into the neck fill. Opaque. At age 34 it’s still full garnet to the rim. Dark fruit nose. Notes of blackberries, fresh cut Cuban cigar, gravel stone, hickory, walnuts and a hint of menthol. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Still chewy. Tannins softened but still lingering. Gave it 4 hours in a decanter before approaching it. It probably needed more. Good stuff. Will certainly outlast me.

Great looking bottle with an into the neck fill. Opaque. At age 34 it’s still full garnet to the rim. Dark fruit nose. Notes of blackberries, fresh cut Cuban cigar, gravel stone, hickory, walnuts and a hint of menthol. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Still chewy. Tannins softened but still lingering. Gave it 4 hours in a decanter before approaching it. It probably needed more. Good stuff. Will certainly outlast me.

9.4

Sean Genn Delectable Pro

Classic Bordeaux nose of pencil lead and green peppercorn. Drinking beautifully.

Classic Bordeaux nose of pencil lead and green peppercorn. Drinking beautifully.

9.5

David L Delectable Pro

Wine Nerd Herd virtual tasting. 86’Château Gruaud Larose. 12.5 ALC. Ruby in color with light amber edges. Decanted it for 90 minutes. Nose-

Wine Nerd Herd virtual tasting. 86’Château Gruaud Larose. 12.5 ALC. Ruby in color with light amber edges. Decanted it for 90 minutes. Nose-

9.6

Brent Clayton Delectable Pro

Opaque, cedar, cigar, spice box, wow!!!

Opaque, cedar, cigar, spice box, wow!!!

9.4

Henrik Poulsen Delectable Pro

Still tons of upside potential here.

Still tons of upside potential here.

9.4

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.