2012 Gruaud Larose (St-Julien)

I detected a touch of wet vegetative material in this muscular, solidly constructed, dark ruby/purple-colored 2012. There is abundant austerity as well as a certain hollowness in the mid-palate, and the wine seems directionless at present. The firm tannins, medium body and deficiency in the mid-palate raise questions about where this cuvee is heading. It’s possible that the mid-palate will fill out with additional cellaring, leading the wine to perform better than this note suggests. 85-87 points

Lively colour with standard intensity. Fruity, floral, ripe nose. Delicate attack and then it develops to become flavoursome. It has taste, standard body and quite fine tannins. Subtly fragrant and flavoursome on the finish. Delicate and finely graded. 89-90 points

The Grand Vin is a blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6.5% Petit Verdot, delivering 13.46% alcohol and an IPT of 73. Harvest commenced on 2nd October with the Merlot, the Cabernet picked between 11 th and 18th October. The bouquet is fresh with expressive Merlot – not a complex aromatic profile but expanding nicely in the glass with subtle floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a gentle but insistent grip. The acidity is well judged and it builds very nicely in the mouth to a finish that is more sophisticated than the nose presently suggest. This will be a fine, medium-term Gruaud Larose. 90-92 points