Grand Puy Lacoste 2020

Enjoyable, powerful, concentrated, not the most generous of GPLs but they have captured the essence of Pauillac, and it's hard to resist. Sappy juicy finish, full of cassis, mint leaf and pencil lead along the way with a clear tightness to the tannic frame. A yield of 31hl/ha. 75% new oak for barrel ageing.Drinking Window 2027 - 2046

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot. Cask sample.Bright crimson hue. Classic in form and constitution. Firm and stately on the nose with graphite and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and fresh on the palate, the tannins smooth and refined but driving behind. Long, linear and persistent. Should age gracefully. (JL)Drink 2028 – 2045

(56% CS, 24% M; 31hl/ha; 75% new)Black-red; a particularly refined and subtle “cassis-Cabernet” nose; medium-full, fresh to crisp in acidity, very fine in gently firm tannin; long, fresh, elegant, even, ripe red fruit in flavor, backed by subtle mineral impressions, long across the palate, refreshing, restrained, and with very fine tannin textures, of modest intensity and with excellent, subtly gravelly red-fruited length. Beautifully understated by comparison with many in this often somewhat “strong” vintage. A complete, restrained, classy Pauillac. 2026–40+.

The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a very refined, almost understated bouquet at first, but it opens in glorious fashion to offer precise blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone and wild mint, gaining intensity at its own pace. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, a keen thread of acidity, layers of intense black fruit and quite a spicy, vibrant and certainly persistent finish. This is a brilliant GPL from the Borie family. Drink 2027-2055.

The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste fulfils its promise from barrel. It has a very sophisticated and complex bouquet with black fruit, pencil shavings and light estuarine scents, beautifully defined and focused. The palate has real intensity and concentration, the precision belying a very intense GPL not unlike the 2016 with a persistent graphite-infused finish that is just pure finesse. Magnificent.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of pencil lead, damp soil and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled and refreshing, delivering soft, skillfully managed tannins and just enough freshness to frame the juicy black fruits, finishing savory.