Castle Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and cedar fruit, nicely composed and delineated, not complex but harmonious. As usual, there is a conservative element to the aromatics in keeping with this estate's style. The palate is medium-bodied with appreciable mineralité on the entry. I like the edginess here, the framework and in particular the finesse that is not always apparent at Grand-Puy-Lacoste, at least at this early juncture. It might not be a long-term proposition, but it is certainly one of the finest Pauillac wines of the vintage courtesy of Xavier and Emeline Borie.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

Dense and silky with lots of flowers and black currant character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a long finish for the vintage. Drink now.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

Dark ruby. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant and violet. Rich and sweet on the palate, offering juicy flavors of dark plum and blueberry. Finishes smooth and persistent, with a lingering note of cedar.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

(80 Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 Merlot) 13.2% alcohol. Yields were down 15% at 31 hl/ha. More exotic on the nose than expected in this vintage and initially beautifully velvety on the palate. The tannins are strict but not out of balance – this is a wine which will age well. There is clever balance here and the wine is finely tuned. Just the right amount of press wine has been added (10%) after very careful assessment of the stock. The feeling was that the more structured elements must be chosen to suit the character of the vintage. This careful addition has broadened the flavour without adding any of the harshness or sour notes of many of the other wines. This is a terrific, lighter-styled GPL with all of their own classic hallmarks and a really clean finish. A masterful piece of winemaking in a very difficult vintage hence the big score.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/17/2014

The 2013 Grand Puy Lacoste is terrific. Graphite, smoke, tobacco and licorice burst onto the palate, followed by layers of dark, inviting fruit. Supremely classy from start to finish, the 2013 impresses for its energy, balance and pure, mineral-driven cut. The 2013 is by no means a huge wine, but it is super-polished to the core. Tasted twice.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/15/2014

Noblement aromatique, notes de réglisse et de tabac, tannin racé, parfait équilibre et classicisme qui plaira aux amateurs de médoc. Réussite majeure dans le millésime.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2014

The Grand Puy Lacoste is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot picked at 31hl/ha from 30 September until 11 October, matured in 75% new oak. It has a fragrant red berry fruit on the nose: raspberry leaf and cranberry, undergrowth and a touch of tobacco. It is very classic G.P.L. style but dialled down from previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and well judged acidity, harmonious with cedar and tobacco on the finish. There is not the usual structure compared to recent vintages, although it is cohesive and for want of a better word...honest. And what more can you ask from a wine?

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2014

Deep colour and finely expressed fruit, cassis with a little spice, very Cabernet, dense but lifted, good middle fruit, good future.

Jamessuckling.com

89-90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

A firm, fresh wine with currant, chalk and mineral character. Medium body, firm tannins and a crisp finish. Fine texture to this.

Wine Enthusiast

90-92 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/3/2014

Ripe black currant is sustained by solid tannins. The wine is richly fruity and structured allowing the freshness of the year to come through at the end.

René Gabriel

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/3/2014

80 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Delikates Cassis- und Brombeerbouquet, geradlinig ausgerichtet mit sanftem Cabernet-Druck. Im Gaumen saftig, eine traumhafte Süsse in den Tanninen zeigend, die Gerbstoffe sind angerundet und der Wein hat insgesamt eine ordentliche Substanz für den Jahrgang. Kann mit den besten Pauillac's mithalten und ist somit ein grossartiger Wert. Liegt ganz nahe bei 18/20 und wird in etwa 8 Jahren auch erreichen.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

Racy and nicely put together, with plum, red currant and iron notes in lock step, while plum pit and savory details line the finish. A singed cedar hint supports the finish. Well done. —J.M.