Château Gruaud Larose St Julien Bordeaux 1989
Inspired by the aged vintage three decade old St Julien Bordeaux we had last week, I was eager for an encore and pulled from the cellar this 1989 Gruaud Larose to enjoy with Linda's beef stew dinner.
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| Linda and Rick at Château Gruaud Larose |
Our visit to Château Gruaud Larose was another one of the highlights of our trip to the Bordeaux Medoc region and the St Julien appellation this summer.
Our
Cellartracker records show we still hold seven bottles from the OWC -
Original Wood Case of this label we acquired upon release back at the
time.
Thankfully, tonight's experience was equally
rewarding, another well preserved and aged fine Bordeaux that was
drinking at its apex, even at thirty years of age, showing no diminution
whatsoever from age.
Like the Ducru-Beaucaillou we consumed the other night,
we still hold several cases of this label from ten vintages dating back
to the birthyear vintages of our kids, 1981, 1982, 1985, and several
vintages since, including several in large format magnum (1.5l) and double magnum (30l).
While we hold several older vintages, we
chose the 1989 due the multitude of bottles we have from this vintage.
As part of cellar management, I pulled the bottle with the lowest fill
level however all seven bottles were nearly identical, not surprising
since they all came from the same case and had the same provenance.
The
fill level was at lower neck level with intact and prime condition foil
and label. The cork was very saturated for the lower half but came out
intact using an ah-so two pronged cork puller.
Château Gruaud Larose Grand Cru Classe St Julien Bordeaux 1989
This
was dark garnet colored, medium bodied, concentrated, bright,
expressive black plum and currant fruits accented by pronounced
brilliant violet floral and cigar box notes turning to tangy sharp
tongue puckering tannins on the lingering finish.
RM 92 points.