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Grand Puy Lacoste 2011

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Label

Tasting Notes

The dense ruby/purple-colored 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste exhibits a charming, open-knit bouquet of red and black fruits. It is a savory, medium-bodied, flavorful, well-endowed Pauillac from Xavier Borie that can be enjoyed over the next 10-15+ years.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), April 2014

The 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. It has a slight subdued nose that demands some coaxing and eventually, perhaps reluctantly offers aromas of blackberry, wild hedgerow, sous-bois and damp tobacco. I find it missing a little vivacity and precision. The palate has a crisp, brine-tinged entry with chalky tannins. Typically masculine and austere, quite edgy and tense, the 2011 is a straight down the fairway, quintessential Pauillac with cedar and strong graphite notes on the finish. Leaving it for another five minutes, there is a cheeky scent of orange that develops in the glass and then...poof...it's gone again. This is an intriguing Pauillac that keeps you on your toes. Tasted April 2012.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

The licorice, tar and spice character with dried fruits and currants impresses me. Full body with firm tannins and a chewy finish. This is even better now than from barrel. Better in 2019.

93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2014

Xavier Borie consistently makes one of the finest and most classic of all Pauillacs here. Frequently GPL is a match for the top names of Pauillac but is usually cheaper en primeur. An extremely reliable property that the canny buyer should consider every year. Much of the fruit is used to make the second wine - Lacoste Borie. This is classic Pauillac made from 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. The Cabernet was picked here up until 29th September. With a really black colour, this is classic Grand Puy Lacoste. A fantastic nose of cassis, licorice, and cigar box. On the palate there is dense black fruit all the way through with well integrated tannins. Brilliant balance here and an utterly classy and refined Pauillac. Touching second growth quality this year. We were all very impressed.

93+
Farr Vintners, March 2012

The fruit on the nose is rich deep brooding black fruited but ripe. The palate has a mix of flavours some ripe black plum, firmer black cherry and the freshness of bramble. The tannins support but are ripe the mid palate supple fleshy and there is the feeling of balance and harmony.

92/95
Derek Smedley MW, April 2012

Irrespective of the vintage, François-Xavier Borie makes some of the most under-valued wines in Pauillac. In 2011, this brilliant fifth growth has done it again, making a grand vin with elegance and restraint. A classic, claret drinker's Pauillac, with notes of incense, cassis, wood smoke and chocolate underpinned by freshness and verve. 10+ years.

95
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012

Deep blackcurrant Cabernet fruit, elegant freshness and great depth, a true vineyard wine with a very good future. Drink 2017-2035

17.5
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2012
Read more tasting notes...

Overall, this is an elegant effort from Xavier Borie. A dark ruby/purple hue and a classic nose of smoky black currants and flowers are followed by a medium-bodied wine with more finesse and elegance than the blockbuster style seen in great vintages. Penetrating acidity gives the 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste excellent vibrancy as well as definition. Enjoy it during its first 10-15 years of life.

89/91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

This has lots of mineral and lemon peel character with dried flowers and currants. Full and very silky with fresh acidity. Long and intense. Racy and lean at the finish.

91/92
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.