I last had this in November I think, left TN's on the WS site, but I can't find them. Anywho, that bottle was delicious and I felt just ready to drink. Had again last night with a big hunk of prime rib and baked potatoes. This bottle is one of 3 I bought a couple months ago from a fresh case from the Chateau, the bottle looks like it was labeled yesterday. Cork came out perfect, just the bottom 1/4 inch saturated purple with some tartrate crystals stuck to the bottom. Decanted for 1 hour before it hit our glasses. Poor restaurant lighting made color evaluation somewhat difficult, but it appeared SO purple, I found some light to give it a good look, the wine could have been a '99 vintage for looking at it, beautiful deep red purple. The nose was typical Gruaud, akin to sticking your head in an old leather satchel with tons of tobacco,cedar and black cherries, mmmm, mmmm! On the tongue the wine was medium bodied with good cherry flavors coming through, its earth tones supporting beautifully. The wine however was a touch acidic mid-palate and still firmly tannic from entry to the nice medium + finish. Overall I think the wine was a little closed, which would account for the noticiable acid mid-palate. 92 points as consumed.
This particular bottle showed at least 5 years from maturity. I remember Board-O questioning my last tasting note as I felt the wine ready and his thoughts were more time. This bottle showed, under ideal storage, he is absolutely right. I won't touch either of the other two for a good while.

Great notes, Stealth. Must resist the temptation to open one. I get annoyed with myself when I open a wine too young or too old. In my experience, Gruaud-Larose is one of the best, if not the best, agers from St. Julien.

Quote:

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from a fresh case from the Chateau

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How do you know this when you buy it? Do you buy it direct or through auction or something? Just curious.

I asked the origin because of the spectacular condition of these bottles, they stood out like sore thumbs.

Had this last night from a 375ml bottle and boy was it good. It had the classic scorched leather, earth, and dark cherry component that I love about G-L. I believe that this bottle was ready to drink and basically at its plateau. There is something to be said about drinking a Bdx from a great vintage at just the right time. The cedar component in this wine is how I have always identified with G-L. I agree with Stealths comment regarding the dark red-purple color. If you have this wine in 375ml format try it now. 94pts. What do you thing a reasonable price is for a bottle of '82 G-L in 375ml format today?

IW

I would be surprised to find 375's for less than $100. The wine has hovered between $160 and $180 for 750ml for the last several years.