The 1989 Gruaud Larose is evolving very slowly, and its impressively youthful structure and vibrant flavors auger very well for its future. Offering up aromas of sweet berry fruit, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and cedar, it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and fine but still present tannins. As this develops in the cellar, it's showing more plenitude and mid-palate volume than it did a decade ago, and for patient readers this is emerging as a comparatively underestimated 1989 Médoc.

Full, chunky, slightly earthy nose. Not an elegant, classy wine but full of depth and flavour. Quite powerful and long.

Barnyard notes with herbs and some fruit. Light for Gruaud. Not a bad wine. But, there was nothing to like about it either.