| 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 2022 grand vin is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and is being matured in 75% new oak. The yield was 38 hl/ha. Harvested from September 7th to 23rd. Xavier agreed with us that the style here is like a cross between 2009 and 2010 - but the quality is probably even higher.
The 2022 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked from 7 to 23 September and contains more Merlot due to the high quality of the fruit, matured in 75% new oak. There is 14.2% alcohol. Therefore, this lends this GPL a little more precocity and sensuality compared to other vintages, not cut from the same "classical" cloth as, say, the 2019 or 2020. Underlying this velvety veneer are enticing traits of freshly-rolled tobacco and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-sculpted tannins. Silky smooth in texture, so much so that it belies that backbone underneath. There is a peacock's tail of mineral-rich, quite peppery black fruit on the finish, completing a Pauillac endowed with huge potential. 2030-2065
A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, the 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a brilliant classic in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, violets and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated palate that exhibits beautiful structural refinement and purity of fruit. Classy and integrated, it is somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day and less forbiddingly structured version of this estate's brilliant 1982.
An excellent wine in 2022 which when compared to some of the sweetness from many wines throughout Bordeaux has a good sense of place. The nose opens with fine blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit, lined with just a touch of cedar and wood spice. The palate has the silky entry synonymous with the vintage, ripe fruit unfurling and coating ripe and soft tannins. But, there is some bite here and a crunch thanks to notes of red cherry, chalky hedgerow fruit and more subtle, savoury wood spice. A refined, well-made wine that still clings to what it means to be from the Médoc.
A very structured and rich red with black berry and chocolate. Full-bodied with a solid core of fine tannins and a fresh and muscular finish. Dusty texture. Yet it remains bright and vivid. 3.55 pH. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot.
The 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. Warm cassis, black cherry preserves, and kirsch aromas leap from the glass, followed by touches of chocolate mint, cedar, and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate features fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tight-knit red and black berry layers, finishing long and lifted. This is wonderfully energetic! pH 3.57.
Inky depths to the colour. Violet edging, bitter black chocolate and graphite, can feel the grain of the tannins, and the beautiful balance and juice to damson, cassis and plum puree fruits. Captures just the right amount of drama without sacrificing Pauillac character, this is a wine that is clearly going to age extremely well, with depth of flavour and rich tannic frame that shows how 2022 can succeed in the right hands. 75% new oak, 3.57ph. Harvest earliest ever, beginning on September 7 (2003 was September 15), 60% of production in the 1st wine, Eric Boissenot consultant. 38hl/h yield, a little over the Pauillac average.
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot. Cask sample.
Deep colour. Marked Cabernet nose. Cassis with a vibrant freshness. Juicy fruit and well-integrated tannins with a more textural feel this year. Reserved, measured, structured. Identity unchanged. (JL) 14%
Drink 2032– 2050
In a vintage where managing ripeness, balance and freshness was critical, this is a wine that has done so beautifully. Iron, cedar, ripe blackcurrant and tobacco come through on a fine, enticing, sophisticated nose. This finesse follows on the palate, which is perfect balanced and pristine in fruit quality. Cool cassis and blueberry meld with cedar, delicate wood spice and sandalwood. The tannins are persistent, grippy but ripe and typically Pauillac. Vibrant, long and focused, this is a superb wine in 2022.
