The 2002 Gruaud Larose has a deep garnet core and a youthful rim showing little sign of ageing. It has a pleasant, perhaps conservative bouquet with notes of blackberry, dark plum, a touch of mint and minerals. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. It has a grainy texture but good substance, lacking a little finesse towards the finish but showing plenty of ripe black fruit infused with black pepper, saline and sous-bois. Moderate in length, a little conservative but a decent Saint Julien.