This is another typically tough, muscular, closed, angular, acidic 1970, seemingly without the extract and concentration to balance out the tannin. The 1970 Gruaud-Larose remains dusty and coarse with considerable brett (the spoilage yeast that technocrats find appalling). I am not sure this wine will ever become fully mature. While it offers an attractive leathery, smoky, earthy nose, the flavors remain hard and coarse.

Deep ruby; spicy tobacco and cassis nose; elegant aromas; firm, elegant, evolved cassis and cedar flavors; fairly full.