The 2009 Gruaud Larose, a Bordeaux blend from the St Julien sub-region in Bordeaux, France, is a red wine that has garnered high praise from several notable wine critics. This wine is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, with an alcohol content of 13.5%.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine a score of 95, describing it as "medium to deep garnet colored" with a complex bouquet of "warm black raspberries, crème de cassis, and redcurrant jelly" alongside notes of "potpourri, cigar box, new leather, hoisin, and molten chocolate." Lisa Perrotti-Brown notes that the wine is "packed with black fruits and savory layers" and highlights its "firm, grainy texture and seamless freshness" which contribute to a "long earth-laced finish."
Alex Shaw from JJ Buckley gave the wine a score of 94, emphasizing its potential with a mixture of "blackberry, cola, licorice, and espresso" aromas. He describes the palate as "dense and massive" with "firm tannins" that will need time to soften, suggesting that the wine will be best enjoyed in 8-10 years and has the potential to age for 2-3 decades.
Wine Spectator rated this wine at 92, praising its "good density" and flavors of "fleshy blackberry and blueberry cobbler" with "anise, sweet spice, and smoldering maduro tobacco notes." They recommend drinking it from 2013 through 2023.
Neal Martin of Vinous gave a score of 93, noting the wine's "fruit concentration" and "medium-bodied palate with fine-grain tannins, dark chocolate, and sage." He remarks that while the wine is immediately attractive, it may not improve significantly with further aging.
Wine Enthusiast also scored it at 93, observing that the wine initially has a dominant wood character that gives way to "ripe, smooth fruit" with "black fruits very ripe and juicy" as it develops.
James Suckling awarded the wine 95 points, appreciating its "aromas of sliced mushroom, berries, and wet earth" and describing it as a "fit, yet polished wine" with "super silky tannins" and a "chewy finish."
Decanter rated it at 94, with notes of "smoky grilled oak" and "tarry hints" on the nose. They describe the palate as "structured and ambitious" and suggest that it will continue to improve with more aging.
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider rated it at 91, noting "sweet, earthy red fruits" with "cedar, tobacco leaf, and minty notes," and a "medium-bodied" palate that is still young with a fresh, minty finish.
Finally, The Wine Independent also awarded it a 95, describing the wine as "deep garnet-colored with a touch of brick" and "ready-to-go scents of stewed black plums, blackcurrant jelly, and rose oil." Lisa Perrotti-Brown highlights its "firm, velvety tannins" and "generous fruit" with a "long and perfumed" finish.
Overall, the 2009 Gruaud Larose is highly regarded for its complex aromas, dense palate, and potential for aging.
