Chateau Gruaud Larose 1990

I have one and only one bottle of Chateau Gruaud Larose 1990 should I drink it now or wait a couple of years ?

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Reply to
Morten Pedersen
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What are your storage conditions like? If stored at 10 C or so, I'd wait another 5-10 years before opening it. '90 was a lower acid year, so the wines probably won't age as well as e.g. '86, but Gruaud-Larose is never a soft wine.

Mark Lipton (still holding on to his '82 and '86)

Reply to
Mark Lipton

The wine has been stored at about 11-12 C, so I think I will wait a couple of years more....

Thanks.

Reply to
Morten Pedersen

I'll disagree with Mark. I've had this twice in last 2-3 years, and think it's ready. Lots of 1990s never really shut down, and are drinking well.

The 1990 Gruaud is a bit atypical for G-L and doesn't resemble the hulking '86 very much. It's a big wine, with that slightly roasted note that some '90s have as well as the vintage's roundness. I don't think there's any need to hurry to drink, but also no reason to wait if you want now.

I'm not as much of a fan as some (very experienced) tasters I have had it with, but no one thought it needed time.

We're doing a '90 horizontal next month, haven't seen the Gruaud on the list yet, but will report if it shows up.

Reply to
DaleW

I will certainly defer to you on this, Dale. Do you really feel that it's fully mature? My experience with it dates to its release, and like you I was not impressed enough with it (or the '89) to invest my $$ in it. I'd have guessed, though, that its tannins would last through the mid-aughties at least.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

There's some tannins, but by time they're fully resolved I'm not sure what you'd have. This has the classic hot weather profile- lots of (slightly roasted) fruit, low-acidity, lush texture. It also has a minty note that some like, a few don't. I'm not clairvoyant, and I can't say for sure where this is going, but I'd bet 90% of tasters would find it more attractive now than in 2020.

(actually, depending on price, the mistake you made was not investing in the '89. Now that's a classic G-L for my tastes, just coming into its own, nice now or in 10 years).

All opinions my own, right or wrong. :)

Reply to
DaleW

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