2005 Chateau Gruaud Larose - St. Julien (750ml) EX CHATEAU
A highlight of the 2000s and a benchmark vintage that no Bordeaux lover should miss — and Gruaud Larose, whose motto is "The Wine of Kings, the King of Wines," made one of its finest bottles of the modern era in 2005. Top critics have compared Gruaud Larose's top vintages to First Growth wines , and this is one of them. Nearly 20 years in bottle, fully hitting its stride, and still with decades ahead. Don't sleep on this one.
Winter with rain below normal (-50%). February to mid-March: temperatures slightly below normal (late budburst).
Normal April, but end of May, temperatures climbed rapidly continuing into June (flowering in great conditions, no water).
Very dry summer, only 3 significant showers. 2005 was dryer than 2003, but the vine suffered less (dry winter and spring=>the root system went very far down to seek the underground water). Beginning of September, close to 40�, then rain during the 2nd week end. Then, sun and little water (great concentration/perfect sanitary conditions).
Rain-free harvest. One of the easiest vintages in the past 30 years.
-Chateau notes