|
B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
Described by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson as “a classic example of why we love great Pauillac,” these traditionally styled selections from Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste balance rich dark fruit on a precise backbone of acidity with lush, layered tannins, some just hitting their stride and all with decades of enjoyment ahead of them, delivered in perfect provenance at an unbeatable value.
Purchased by Jean-Eugene Borie in 1978 and restored by his son Francois-Xavier over the following decades, the 58-hectare vineyard of Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is situated in a single large block on the Pauillac hill, the steep terrain rising up to 20 meters and planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon in deep gravel soils that extend eight meters underground on the Left Bank of the Gironde. Crafted by winemaker Francois-Xavier with the help of his daughter Emeline, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend is aged in mostly new French oak for 16 to 18 months, producing a Grand Vin that is “immediately charming and structurally polished” with “classic Cabernet-driven Pauillac character” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley. At a tasting in 2021, Jane Anson of Inside Bordeaux noted the 97 pt. 2005 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is “just starting to really live up to expectations” and “will easily stay in this delightful holding pattern for the next few decades” while the “unmistakably Pauillac” 96 pt. 2009 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is “utterly gorgeous right now” and “still young," counting it among the estate’s best vintages. Calling the 2015 vintage one not to be missed, Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes the 96 pt. 2015 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste as bringing together “the ripeness of the vintage and the classic elegance of Pauillac in stunning style,” while the 97 pt. 2016 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is “sumptuous, vivid and incredibly detailed” and a highlight of the vintage poised to “enjoy a long life,” available in both 750 ml. and magnum. Jeb Dunnuck calls the 96 pt. 2018 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste “a beautiful Pauillac” with “terrific balance, remarkable purity of fruit, and outstanding length” and the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown describes the 97 pt. 2019 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste “an exercise in elegance, with lovely freshness and fine-grained tannins.” Ranked #18 on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023, James Suckling wrote the full-bodied 96 pt. 2020 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste “builds on the palate in a fantastic way” while the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley notes “its supple, charming style belies considerable aging potential.”
Transparently reflecting its exceptional Left Bank terroir, Bordeaux expert Jane Anson describes the exceptional Grand Cru of Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste as “the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Gironde Estuary breezes, and the gravels of the appellation,” these top vintages delivering outstanding value for Pauillac lovers and collectors to savor over the next decades. |
|
The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is fabulous, just as it was from barrel. Strong Cabernet inflections soar out of the glass, giving the wine a compelling aromatic profile laced with the essence of graphite, dried herbs, menthol and dark fruit. One of the most classic (for lack of a better word) wines in the Left Bank in 2018, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is super-impressive right out of the gate. Grand-Puy-Lacoste is ultimately a wine of tremendous class that remains restrained and aristocratic in breeding. Don't miss it.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2021)
A beautiful Pauillac, the 2018 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a classic nose of ripe blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedarwood, and tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied 2018 offering wonderful balance, ripe, polished tannins, and gorgeous purity of fruit. A wine that grows on you with time in the glass, it has building mid-palate depth and tannins, again, terrific balance, remarkable purity of fruit, and outstanding length on the finish. It should round into form in 4-5 years and keep for 20+.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)
Cherries and walnuts with dried flowers on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with very fine tannins, creamy texture and a bright, vivid finish. Plenty of currant and tar. Such polish and beauty. Drink after 2023.
94 points, James Suckling (Jan 2021)