Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 [in bond ex vat] (6 x 75cl) en primeur landing Spring 2025

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

6 x 75cl * 14.2% ABV * Pauillac, France

The chateau was constructed at the time of the 1855 Classification, and since then Grand Puy Lacoste has only been owned by 3 different families with neighbours Chateau Pontet Canet to the south and Chateau Lynch Bages to the west. Run since 1970s by the charming Borie family, under the watchful eye of François-Xavier Borie, who completely renovated the estate in 2004. This is a classic Pauillac Fifth Growth that has produced one of its best ever wines in 2022.

The name Grand-Puy, already mentioned in documents from the Middle Ages, comes from the ancient term "puy” which means "hillock, small height”. True to its name, the vineyard sits on outcrops with a terroir similar to that of the Médoc's first growths above the villages of Bages. The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant grand vin is known for its velvety texture and cigar box and cassis aromas.

“The 2022 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked from 7 to 23 September and contains more Merlot due to the high quality of the fruit, matured in 75% new oak. There is 14.2% alcohol. Therefore, this lends this GPL a little more precocity and sensuality compared to other vintages, not cut from the same "classical" cloth as, say, the 2019 or 2020. Underlying this velvety veneer are enticing traits of freshly-rolled tobacco and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-sculpted tannins. Silky smooth in texture, so much so that it belies that backbone underneath. There is a peacock's tail of mineral-rich, quite peppery black fruit on the finish, completing a Pauillac endowed with huge potential.” 96-98 points, Neal Martin, Vinous.com

“A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, the 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a brilliant classic in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, violets and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated palate that exhibits beautiful structural refinement and purity of fruit. Classy and integrated, it is somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day and less forbiddingly structured version of this estate's brilliant 1982.” 95-97 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“Inky depths to the colour. Violet edging, bitter black chocolate and graphite, can feel the grain of the tannins, and the beautiful balance and juice to damson, cassis and plum puree fruits. Captures just the right amount of drama without sacrificing Pauillac character, this is a wine that is clearly going to age extremely well, with depth of flavour and rich tannic frame that shows how 2022 can succeed in the right hands. 75% new oak, 3.57ph. Harvest earliest ever, beginning on September 7 (2003 was September 15), 60% of production in the 1st wine, Eric Boissenot consultant. 38hl/h yield, a little over the Pauillac average.” 96 points, Jane Anson

Drinking window: 2027 to 2052

Please note prices are in-bond and exclude VAT and duty, which are payable when the wines land in-store which will be spring/ summer 2025.