78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
75cl * 14.5% ABV * Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Known for consistently outperforming its 5th Growth classification, Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is owned and run by the widely revered Francois-Xavier Borie. This is a serious, brooding wine, with great finesse, wonderful dark fruits, perfectly balanced cedar notes and just a hint of mint. The palate exudes subtle layers of scented oak complemented by cassis and tobacco notes, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and fine.
This wine would work excellently alongside rare roast beef, game or other roasted red meats. Being a classic Pauillac, it would also work with mushroom or truffle dishes and most hard cheeses. Decant carefully to remove the sediment and leave to breathe for a couple of hours before serving. Drink now-2050
'Another success from Grand-Puy-Lacoste – it’s bright and full of juice, prioritising vibrancy over power. As such, it has a touch less Pauillac typicity than in the absolutely brilliant 2016 vintage at this estate, although as it unfurls through the palate you do get the menthol, cassis and smoked cedar that is just such a beautiful sign of ripe Cabernet up in this corner of the world.' 95 pts, Jane Anson, Decanter 2019
'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.' 94 pts, James Suckling 2021
'The 2018 Grand Puy Lacoste has a quintessential Pauillac nose of intense black fruit infused with graphite scents, pencil shavings and a very discreet marine influence. It is beautifully defined, less opulent than the 2018 Lynch Bages tasted alongside, yet maybe more complex. The palate is medium-bodied and taut, offering sappy black fruit, gritty tannins and a lot of crushed stone. The focused, graphite-driven finish could only come from this appellation. Superb. A wine to correct those bemoaning that Bordeaux no longer makes "proper Claret."' 95 pts, Neal Martin, Vinous 2021
'The 2018 Grand Puy Lacoste has been brilliant since first tasted in barrel, and it continues to deliver in bottle at six years old. A deep, shiny ruby in the glass, the nose is succulent with blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, lined with a hint of cedar, spice box and wood smoke. Silky in texture on the palate, the fruit is ripe but well measured, GPL's textbook effortless elegance coming through. Unforced but deep and layered, the tannins have a real sheen and make this approachable now, melting into the black fruit and spice at the core. Cedary despite its ripe fruited finish, this is a wine with clear pedigree that tames the warmer elements of the vintage to allow the house style to shine. Drink it now or over the coming 25 years.' 95+ pts, Thomas Parker MW Farr Vintners 2024