Château Gruaud Larose, 2ème Cru Classé, St Julien,

This has plenty of fleshy tannins and depth through the mid palate, with waves of cassis, rosebud and liquorice root, melted cocoa and campfire smoke, totally charming and very St Julien, but the architecture remains fairly tight on the finish, and it will benefit from a little longer in bottle. Eric Boissenot consultant, 50% new oak. Harvest September 28 to October 13.

The 2010 Gruaud Larose is maturing nicely on the nose: well defined red and black fruit intermingling, hints of meat juices and a subtle briny scents that seems to gain intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. This Gruaud-Larose displays fine body and density, a slightly powdery texture with hints of liquorice and sea salt towards the persistent and quite burly finish. Like many other 2010s it will benefit from more time in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.