Castle Grand Puy Lacoste - Pauillac 2005

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

Pure crème de cassis, licorice and spice are all present in this wine from Xavier Borie. Medium to full-bodied and ripe, with sweet tannin and a nicely textured mouthfeel, this is a beauty that should continue to drink well for another 15 or so years.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Mid crimson. Rather sweet – even simple – Cabernet nose. Racy and sleek. Devil-may-care wine made by the vineyard rather than with an eye to what the market wants. 

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Flamboyant et très peu évolué, ce grand Pauillac est campé sur des tanins fins et possède un corps très imposant. Il s'équilibre parfaitement et termine sur des notes de fruits noirs encore bien vives.

Le Point

18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe9/26/2013

Fermé, bouche intense, très enveloppante, peu évoluée, un vin assez dense sans être fatigant, mais qui demande à vieillir ; bon équilibre, mais vin de grande garde.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe11/10/2009

Lightly perfumed and spicy, with some dark plum fruit on the nose but really pretty restrained. Elegant and rounded. A nice whole and quite approachable - long and fine tannins though the wine is well structured for the longer term.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/12/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is a stunning showing for Xavier Borie’s estate, one of my highest scoring wines of the entire tasting and vindicating its performance in barrel. It has an incredibly intense nose of black fruits, a touch of pine cones, then dried blood and smoke, but again, brilliant definition with a sense that it is saving itself for later. Astounding definition on the palate, real depth here, ripe blackberry, earthy, a touch of briary, very controlled and refined on the finish. Great length. Majestic. Drink 2020-2040+ Tasted January 2009.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Medium red. Very ripe aromas of plum and musky brown spices; redder in character and less precise than the 2006. Then big, sweet and plump on the palate, with full, mellow flavors of red berries, tobacco and mocha, plus a light smoked meat note. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering, fully ripe fruit. This is showing its lush side today and is hiding its underlying structure.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

The brilliant 2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste exhibits classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of creme de cassis along with stony/floral notes. Proprietor Xavier Borie has created a wine that should rival the brilliant 1982, 1990, 1996, and 2000. Full-bodied with sweet tannin and superb length (a 40+ second finish), the purity of this beauty’s black currant fruit is something to behold. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

Perhaps even better than this estate’s 2000 or 1996, one may have to go back to the monumental 1990 to find a Grand-Puy-Lacoste this classic and well-endowed. It is a beautiful, dense purple-tinged effort displaying a sweet, pure perfume of creme de cassis, flowers, and wet stones, fabulous ripeness, a full-bodied, fleshy attack, mid-palate, and finish, and gorgeous length as well as richness. There is not a coarse, hard edge to be found in this well-endowed, tannic beauty. A fabulous value in the scheme of 2005 Bordeaux prices, it should be at its peak between 2014-2030+.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2006

(78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot) Good bright ruby. Vibrant, pure aromas of cassis, violet, minerals and licorice. Big attack: this enters the mouth like a wave. Then fresh, firm and classy in the middle, with a medicinal austerity but also lurking sweetness to the flavors. This spreads out nicely on the back end, finishing with fine-grained tannins and excellent length. I like the acid/tannin balance here. In its combination of precision and refinement, this surpasses the 2003 here. Wait until 2013.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

Following a period of mixed performances, Grand-Puy-Lacoste’s 2005 is their finest effort since 2000 and 1996. It offers a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a beautiful, pure bouquet of creme de cassis, full body, moderately high tannin, and good precision, freshness, weight, and richness. Like many of the classified growths, it is a candidate to shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

Aromas of berries and spices follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a chewy finish. Tight and reserved but shows lovely potential. Layered and refined. Very beautiful. Perhaps better than 2000. —J.S.