An estate known for its long ageing, and here it has softened at 31 years old, but still offering silky tannins and autumnal fruits with cedar smoked oak, marzipan, dried leather and gentle truffled spice. A thoroughly enjoyable Gruaud Larose showcasing old-school St-Julien balance. Clear crushed mint leaf on the finish, utterly moreish. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend; 33% new oak. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2035
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)
Part of Bordeaux 1990s: the complete guide

Meaty, smoky, sweet berry and black currant characteristics intertwined with roasted herb, charcoal, new saddle leather, and bloody steak juice-like notes are found in this lush, full-bodied, opulent wine. It is a fully mature 1990 that, given its depth and intensity, should continue to evolve for at least another 15 years. RP Jul 2009

The wine continues to get better and better and is certainly one of the great successes in what is a profound vintage for Bordeaux. While the wine still tastes young, it is already complex, with so much sweet tannin and fruit that it is impossible to resist, even though it will not hit its plateau of maturity for another 5-6 years. A stunning nose of liqourice, earth, cedar, Provencal herbs, black currants, asphalt and cherries soars from the glass. Full bodied, opulent, with fabulous concentration, a seamless texture, and remarkable stuffing and power, this low acid, this, almost viscous wine can be drunk now or cellared for at least another 2 decades. 96pts RP Jan 2003

Medium brick colored, the 1990 Gruaud Larose opens with gorgeous floral notes of dried roses and lavender before giving way to kirsch, fallen leaves, leather, and iron ore notes plus a touch of dried bay leaves. The light to medium-bodied palate is delicate and intense, with plush tannins and fantastic tension, finishing with loads of mineral, exotic spice, and mature fruit layers. Lisa Perrotti-Brown Jan 2024 - The Wine Independent

Medium red. Slightly warm aromas of cherry, leather and earth; following the Ducru flight, this came across as a bit rustic in character. Very sweet, broad and powerful, with a roasted marzipan-like quality and fruit of steel. Plenty of structure here. Finishes long and ripely tannic. Drink 2005 through 2020.

Bright medium red with a reddish-amber rim. Pungent notes of cinnamon, quinine and rosemary complicate red cherry on the enticing, aromatic nose. Juicy and fresh on the palate, showing good density to the red fruit, peppery plum and herb flavors. Offers very good texture and chewy but noble tannins, with precise mineral-tinged fruit flavors lingering nicely on the peppery, flinty finish. A real step up in concentration from the 1989, and unlike that vintage this will still improve with further bottle age, though it's drinking well now. Very well done. Ian D'Agata

Tasted in that well-known Bordeaux appellation called "Burgundy," the 1990 Château Gruaud Larose is a Saint Julien that has always flirted with funkiness. Here that came through quite strongly on this occasion, partly because it was juxtaposed against the purity of the 1990 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge. That does not detract from a thoroughly enjoyable wine. The nose shows just a touch of brettanomyces here, soft black fruit with melted tar, graphite, leather and game. The palate has a gaminess from start to finish, carrying the warmth of that summer into the glass, melted tannins with just a touch of dryness towards the finish. It is a pleasurable, if not intellectual Saint Julien to drink over the next 15 years. Tasted June 2015.