1962 Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 1x75cl

Neal Martin 93

The 1962 Gruaud Larose has shown well over three or four encounters, though this is the best example I have met unequivocally. It has an astonishing fig and kirsch-tinged bouquet that exhibits remarkable intensity, becoming slightly medicinal and with conspicuous blackcurrant scents. Well-defined and ostentatious for a 1962 Left Bank. The palate is medium-bodied and shows more restraint than the aromatics. It is endowed with a firm backbone and substance with ripe blackberry, black cherries, leather and sous-bois towards its grippy finish with more fruit intensity than the 1952 served alongside. This Gruaud Larose is infused with a sense of classicism and is holding up well at half a century. Tasted in April 2012 at the "-2 vintage" vertical at the chateau. [Neal Martin, 27/03/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2044

Vinous 94

Bright red with an amber rim. Amazingly perfumed, intense nose offers blackcurrant syrup, black cherry jam and sweet spices. Bright, dense and juicy on entry, with sweet flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant complicated by minerals and cocoa. Finishes clean and long, with bright acidity and smooth tannins. A great Gruaud-Larose, and a wine that has always been overshadowed by the much more famous 1961 that preceded it. [Ian D’Agata, 04/01/2013]

Wine Advocate 93

Tasted at the chateau at their a oe-2a vertical. Picked from 1st October, the 1962 Gruaud Larose has always been a great wine although I’ve never encountered a bottle as good as this. It has an astonishing, fig and kirsch-tinged bouquet with great volume and intensity. It is slightly medicinal with strong blackcurrant aromas that are well defined and quite voluptuous. The palate is medium-bodied and shows more restraint than the aromatics. It certainly has very good backbone and substance with ripe blackberry, small red cherries, leather and sous-bois towards the masculine finish that has more weight of fruit than the ’52. It is suffused with a sense of classicism and at 50 years of age is holding up well. Tasted March 2012. [Neal Martin, 01/03/2012]