| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Performing better from bottle than it did from cask (and comparable to their wines 2005, 2000, 1990 and 1982), this is a great classic from Xavier Borie's estate situated on the back roads west of the town of Pauillac. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by hints of spring flowers, crushed rocks, black currants, cedar and earth/underbrush. Precise and elegant as well as backward and foreboding, it should put on weight in the bottle and evolve for two decades. Very concentrated as well as velvety-textured, it is a beauty of finesse, balance, purity and nobility. It will benefit from 5-7 more years of bottle age.
Complex and decadent. Blackberries and black currants, with fresh herbs on the nose. Tea too. Full body, with soft tannins and an earthy finish. Juicy wine. Turns to pure black currants. Best in 2018.
Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2009 Grand-Puy-Lacoste opens with a nose of sweaty leather, damp earth, baked cherries and dried mulberries with touches of fried herbs, black olives and cast iron pan. Medium-bodied, firm and chewy, this is a more elegantly styled 2009 with provocative herbal sparks and a ferrous finish. Drink 2019-2036.
Tasted blind. Light nose. Very sweet start. Herbal and interesting. Lots of fine tannin and savour. Very distinctive and ambitious. Slight saltiness. Massive. Long. GV
Drink 2022-2044
Black red, big, smoky, almost leathery fruit, really great purity and intensity of flavour and great freshness and depth, with the tannins perfectly absorbed. Drink 2016-35.
Dark and delicately spicy this a very complete medium-full bodied 2009 that's not a jot too ripe or too firm. Beautiful balance through the long polished finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)
I was surprised that this wine was not more concentrated given the overall character of the vintage, and I would rate it behind the 2005, 2000, 1990, and 1982. Nevertheless, it boasts this estate's classic creme de cassis character as well as a soft, round, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, pure fruit, and silky tannins, but not the weight, depth, or profound concentration of the top 2009 Pauillacs. Still, this cuvee will be approachable young, and should evolve easily for two decades. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2010-2030.
Tasted at the château. The Grand Puy Lacoste 2009 has a precise nose, very minerally, subtle floral notes, wild hedgerow and crushed stone. The fruit has ebbed away at the moment but it will come back. The palate is just wonderful, very precise with wonderful mineralité. Very fresh and tense, wonderful clarity towards the finish. This is a slightly more feminine Grand Puy Lacoste and merits a higher score further down the line. Tasted November 2011.
Tasted at the château. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked the between the 24th September and 7th October. The nose is introverted and broody at first, hints of seaweed inflecting the pure black fruits. Very minerally - lots of character here. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins a little firmer and structure than other Pauillacs, which is exactly in keeping with the estate's style. Lovely poise on the finish, wonderful focus and edginess with a savoury note on the finish. Insistent grip. Superb persistency and yet typically conservative in its youth. No doubt it will demand at least ten years cellaring, but it will be worth the wait. Tasted March 2010.
Lovely nose of sweet currant and blueberry that follows through to a full body, with juicy, velvety tannins and a licorice, tar and dark chocolate finish. Like it. The new 1982?
Very firm and taut and Pauillac - less luscious than some 2009s. Very fresh and with real vigour and rigour. Lovely rich velvety stuff.
