| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Xavier Borie and his daughter Emeline consistently make one of the finest and most classic of all Pauillacs here. It has been owned by the Borie family since 1978. Frequently GPL is a match for the top names of Pauillac but is usually cheaper en primeur. The 60 hectare vineyard is in one contiguous plot that surrounds the château and is planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Much of the fruit is used to make the second wine - Lacoste Borie. This is a a very popular château at Farr Vintners - both with our customers and staff.
The 2024 grand vin is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and is being matured in 70% new oak. The Cabernet Franc was all relegated to the 2nd label (as it has been since 2015). The yield was 38 hl/ha. Emeline told us that this is a "pilates wine not a body-builder wine in terms of tannin structure. Fresh and elegant" 13.2% ABV
A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, maturing in 70% new barriques, the 2024 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers up notes of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, iris and oak, followed by a medium-bodied, pretty palate built around a delicate core of fruit and lively acids, its powdery structuring tannins asserting themselves with gentle grip on the finish.
The 2024 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a light bouquet for this estate, primarily revealing fresh black fruit laced with tobacco and light smoky scents. It is simple but exhibits impressive delineation. You get the feeling that the aromatics are holding something back. The palate is medium-bodied and classic Pauillac in style with all that graphite-tinged black fruit and edgy tannins. This is not a complex Grand-Puy-Lacoste per se, but I admire its balance, charm and gentle grip on the finish. This is classy in an unpretentious way. 2032 - 2048
Bright ruby colour. This year GPL stays true to its house style, with a lithe, fresh nose of blackcurrant leaf and red berries with a little camphor oil. The palate is linear and fresh, full of hedgerow and bracken, a touch of nori and cool red black fruits. The spice bolsters the palate, which is chalky with tannins, but it finishes cool, compact and laced with blackcurrant leaf and dried mint. If it can gain a little weight in elevage it will turn out well.
Medium to full intensity inky plum colour, cold campfire and grilled cedar on the opening with vibrant plum fruits alongside, good quality, on the fresh side, but savoury and sappy with plenty of lift. 70% new oak for 17 months ageing.
Plump and juicy, the 2024 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is pure charm. This is an especially soft, fruity Grand-Puy-Lacoste with good aromatic presence and fine freshness, if not quite the depth or complexity of the very best years. Floral overtones lift the finish effortlessly. This is a delicate, understated Pauillac that will drink well with minimal cellaring. The balance between the 13% alcohol and 70% new oak is sublime. I won't be surprised if the 2024 turns out to be even better from bottle, especially if it gains a bit of mid-palate pliancy in barrel. 2032-2054.
A very classic Grand-Puy-Lacoste that’s really clear, firm and linear. Mineral, delicate, perfumed and bright, it shows scented red berries and a touch of white pepper. The medium body is rounded by fine, dusty tannins and a long, very juicy finish. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot.
