Grand Puy Lacoste - Pauillac 2018

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

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.

Wine Advocate

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste displays a deep garnet-purple color and slowly emerging notes of ripe blackberries, blackcurrant pastilles and redcurrant jelly plus hints of cedar, underbrush, cinnamon stick and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate has well-managed, slightly chewy tannins and a refreshing line lifting the black and red berry layers, finishing earthy.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

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+.

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Grand Puy Lacoste has a quintessential Pauillac nose of intense black fruit infused with graphite scents, pencil shavings and a very discreet marine influence. It is beautifully defined, less opulent than the 2018 Lynch Bages tasted alongside, yet maybe more complex. The palate is medium-bodied and taut, offering sappy black fruit, gritty tannins and a lot of crushed stone. The focused, graphite-driven finish could only come from this appellation. Superb. A wine to correct those bemoaning that Bordeaux no longer makes "proper Claret."

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

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. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2038. 10,000 cases made. –JM

Falstaff

95

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Schwarze Beeren, zart nach Cassis, etwas Nougat, feine Edelholznuancen, ein Hauch von Zedern, facettenreiches Bukett. Saftig, feine Extraktsüße, reife Herzkirschen, integrierte Tannine, frische Säurestruktur, mineralischer Nachhall, zeigt gute Länge und sicheres Entwicklungspotenzial. (2025 - 2045)

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Beaucoup de finesse et de précision dans ce bouquet où le vin révèle harmonieusement le terroir, l'élevage et le caractère variétal. Invitantes notes de cassis et d'eucalyptus. En bouche le vin a une attaque friande, presque suave. Il a du corps, de la race et des tannins élégants qui confèrent de la puissance et du charme. Rafraîchissante structure qui soutient l'expression aromatique et la persistance de la finale.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

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.

Decanter.com

95

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste was picked at 40hl/ha from September 21 to October 5. It is tightly wound on the nose, although it was due for a racking that will open up the aromatics. Black currant mixes with raspberry and a touch of graphite and brine, gradually revealing light floral topnotes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Classic 'GPL' in some ways, delivering off-dry black fruit mixed with tobacco and black pepper, and cedar notes toward the finish. With around 14% alcohol, it has one of the highest levels at this property, although there is no warmth and it is not noticeable. Those who love Grand-Puy-Lacoste will enjoy this, and it should drink well for 20 years.

WeinWisser

18,5

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

A wine of precision, energy and nuance, the 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is fabulous. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berry fruit grace this exquisite, nuanced Pauillac. Medium in body, understated and classy, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of the highlights of the year. In a word: impeccable. The 2018 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare.

Vinifera

92

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Très beau nez finement poivré, floral, grandement raffiné, pauillacais. Attaque subtile, vin élégant qui charme plus par son délié que par sa force, juteux, non forcé.  

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Showing a beautiful depth in the color, the array of flowers, tobacco leaf, cedar, spice, cigar box and crème de cassis hits the right spot. Full-bodied, dense, tannic, and piquant, this is a perfect amount of crunch and firmness complimenting the juicy Cabernet from start to finish. This is quite classic and firm in style, so be prepared to allow this gem at least 10-12 years or more before opening. The wine is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot and the harvest took place September 21 to October 5.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is scented of warm blackcurrants, black cherries, spice box, florals and chocolate box with a menthol hint. Full-bodied, the palate is rich, plush and generous, finishing long and perfumed.

Decanter.com

95

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2019

Another success from Grand-Puy-Lacoste – it’s bright and full of juice, prioritising vibrancy over power. As such, it has a touch less Pauillac typicity than in the absolutely brilliant 2016 vintage at this estate, although as it unfurls through the palate you do get the menthol, cassis and smoked cedar that is just such a beautiful sign of ripe Cabernet up in this corner of the world.
They were extremely careful with extraction because of the high alcohols, so grapes underwent the shortest maceration to date with no pumping over just an infusion during the extraction process.
Harvest took place between 21 September and 5 October. 12% press wine. 75% new oak used. A yield of 40hl/ha.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is a deep and beautiful 2018 with blackcurrant, wet-earth and fresh-tobacco undertones. Full-bodied, tight and polished. Gorgeous finish. The tannins kick in at the end. Fine texture.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

96

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

95-98

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

This captures the style of the vintage to a T, with vividly ripe cassis and plum fruit, carried by solidly built but fine-grained structure. Lots of graphite and tobacco accents hang in the background for now. A firmly grounded wine.