Chateau Gruaud Larose 1990

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)

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

Thanks.

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.

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

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. :)