Rating for France-Bordeaux-Saint-Julien: 88 (average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>

Sarget de Gruaud-Larose (St Julien) 2002: The second wine of Gruaud-Larose, in this vintage this is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. This sees a cold-soak prior to temperature-controlled fermentation in wooden and concrete vats. A portion undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel. On inspection this has a maturing hue, with a nicely leafy, tobacco-infused and tealeaf character on the nose. A lean edge to the palate, crisply cut tea-leaf fruit, pleasant but very fitting for the old description of 'luncheon claret'. Crisp and lean in terms of structure. Not an unpleasant wine though. Just too expensive. From a Sainsbury's tasting. 14/20 (October 2010)

Consistently one of the fruitiest, smoothest, easiest to enjoy of the great Bordeaux, although as long lived as most, and better value than almost any. Superlative quality since 1995. Now fully mature, this claret is sipple and mellow with evolved Autumn berry and spice complexity. Decant and serve at cool room temperature with rack of lamb or game casserole.