Grand Puy Lacoste 2012

Always a favorite among consumers, Xavier Borie’s is a fifth-growth Pauillac that consistently performs at a much higher level. The 2012 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has the classic, tell-tale crème de cassis as well as some bluer fruits and floral notes. Medium-bodied, its ripe tannin, beautiful fruit and low acidity give it an up-front appeal. There’s no harm in drinking it now or cellaring it for another 12-15+ years. Drink: 2015-2030.

Tasted en primeur at the château. The Grand Puy Lacoste 2012 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot picked between 3rd and 16th October at 36hl/ha and matured in 75% new oak. The aromatics are reticent at first, demand coaxing from the glass. It reluctantly offers blackberry, small dark cherries and a fragrant seaweed scent. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins that appear fully ripe. There is a very attractive symmetry to this wine, wonderful focus with a fresh, refined finish that is not powerful like the 2009 or 2010, but offers a pleasant salty tang. This is a well crafted wine for the vintage. Tasted April 2013.

This is very muscular with blackcurrant, blueberry and mineral character. Full and tight now but this shows a serious backbone of tannins and length. Try in 2018.

Stands out in the lineup, violet-ringed in colour (where many have softened to a gentle ruby at this point). A kick of cloves and ripped blackberry fruits on the aromatics, studded with violet flowers. Less depth through the mid palate that you find in Grand Puy Lacoste in the biggest years, but there are still muscular tannins and grip, and a sense of pushing forwards towards pleasure. Plenty of Pauillac signature, one to recommend and can begun to be opened from now. Harvest October 3 to 16, 75% new oak for ageing.