Tasting Notes:

98 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

A massive wine that is clearly of first-growth quality in this vintage, the 1982 Gruaud Larose remains a youngster. A broodingly dense, thick, unctuously textured, inky/plum/garnet/purple color offers up scents of beef blood, steak tartare, cassis, herbs, tobacco, and underbrush. One of the most concentrated wines of the vintage (as well as one of the most concentrated Bordeaux’s I have ever tasted), it is a huge, full-bodied, weighty, rich wine whose tannins are getting silkier and silkier. It appears set for another 30-40 years of life. This behemoth is a singularly profound example of Gruaud Larose that continues to justify its legendary status. (RP) 6/2009)

96 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

Bright red with a pale rim. The still-closed nose reluctantly releases aromas of red cherry, sweet spices, aromatic herbs and coffee. Dense, rich and fleshy, with ripe red cherry, tobacco and forest floor flavors given shape by haarmonious acidity and smooth tannins. The very long, slightly chewy finish shows a peppery chocolatey persistence. This is developing at a snail’s space and might last another three or four decades in a cold cellar, but while its tannic structure is noble and impressive, I’d probably want to check in on it again in five years’ time to see how the fruit is holding up. (4/2013)

94 points Wine Spectator

One of the best wines ever made at this estate. Dense ruby color with a slight amber edge. Intense grape, berry and raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, ripe fruit and mineral aftertaste.(11/1998)

Jancis Robinson

Cool and very fresh with a seam of graphite. Drier than the Grand Puy Lacoste 1982 served blind alongside. More intense but with more obvious acidity. It may be drying out but I have given it the benefit of the doubt. 18/20 points.(7/2012)

Cult Wines International Notes:

Château Gruaud-Larose, a Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, is known for producing powerful, structured, and long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines. Its large vineyard, characterized by gravelly soils, contributes to the wines’ classic Saint-Julien character: a balance of power and elegance. The estate’s history is marked by periods of divided ownership and eventual consolidation, and its wines are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and capacity to age gracefully.

The 1982 vintage in France, particularly in Bordeaux, is legendary. It was a large, ripe, and exceptionally high-quality vintage, marking a turning point for the region. Here’s a quick synopsis:

• Exceptional Ripeness: Warm, dry conditions throughout the growing season led to perfectly ripe grapes.
• Abundant Yields: The vintage produced a large quantity of high-quality wine.
• Long-Term Aging: The wines from 1982 have proven to be exceptionally age-worthy, developing complex flavors over decades.
• Critical Acclaim: The vintage received widespread praise from critics, solidifying its status as one of the greatest of the 20th century.
• Market Impact: It significantly boosted the reputation and prices of Bordeaux wines, setting a new standard for quality.
• Right Bank and Left Bank: Both the Right and Left Banks of Bordeaux produced stunning wines.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Stored on it’s side in a climate controlled cellar since purchase.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition.