1988 Chateau Gruaud-Larose, Saint-Julien, France 750ml

Tasted at the chateau. This 1988 has an attractive nose, certainly not as austere as other Saint Julien wines from the vintage, with aromas of leather, dried blood, sloe and fig. It does not quite have the delineation of a truly great ’88. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced with good acidity, very supple on the entry with wild strawberry and raspberry fruit inflected with a little tobacco leading to a very natural and elegant second half. A very graceful, classic Gruaud Larose that is drinking damn perfectly now. Very fine. (NM)