Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2018 Pauillac

Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2018 is one of a series of great vintages. The blend has a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) whose character and charm so perfectly express the richness and quality of this distinguished terroir. This wine is deep magenta, intense and brilliant. The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe black fruits and liquorice, underlining the grapes' perfect maturity, whilst keeping a pretty freshness and good minerality. On the palate, the attack is precise, very dense and complex. This 2018 has a very fine balance combining power, elegance and complexity. It has a long, very aromatic and tannic finish. The whole emphasizing the great aging potential of this wine. This vintage is no doubt one of the great success stories of the chateau and what more fitting way to celebrate its 40th anniversary!

"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, Vinous

"Sweet black cherry fruits, bilberry and hedgerow. A little austere at this stage but confidently so, with a slice of bitter black chocolate. Big Pauillac tannins, no question - a little more prominent than they were en primeur. The wine has taken on weight over ageing so I am slightly extending the drinking window. Harvest 21 September and 5 October. 12% press wine. 75% new oak. A yield of 40hl/ha. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044" 95 points, Jane Anson, Decanter

"Juicy and compact now, with dark currant, blackberry and fig notes at the core, surrounded by lots of warm earth, singed alder and tobacco leaf notes. Cast iron note helps extend the finish, with the fruit and earth notes keeping pace. Has a slight throwback feel, so if you like old school, ageworthy Pauillac, this is your wine." 95 points, Wine Spectator

"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

"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

"Black core with wide purple rim. Great purity of intense, ripe but fresh black fruit. The fruit flavours are ripe not overripe and scented with cassis and blueberry yet overall there is a freshness to balance the fruit and that rocky/pencil quality that was also on the Lacoste-Borie. Darker and more mineral on the palate, then really bright on the finish with refined tannins. There's a real elegance here thanks to the purity of the fruit and the finesse in the tannins. Harmony and finesse right to the end. A very good year for Grand-Puy-Lacoste." 17.5/20, Jancis Robinson

Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2018 Pauillac