2003 Gruaud Larose (St-Julien)

Touches of kirsch, fully open and welcoming blackberry and raspberry fruits. A little more evolved on the nose than some of the other vintages in this vertical, reflective of the hot year, but there is so much to love here - grilled black chocolate, smoky bacon, saffron and cinnammon, full of flavour, and caressing tannins, and still a soft uplift of acidity on the finish. Harvest September 10 to 27, 35% new oak. 92 points