Grand Puy Lacoste

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Like Lynch Bages this is another Pauillac chateau punching well above its fifth growth status.  Consistently on a par with the ‘super seconds’ the wines of Grand Puy Lacoste represent fantastic value.  See this note for the 1995 vintage by Robert Parker, 95 points:

‘Another unbelievably rich, multidimensional, broad-shouldered wine, with slightly more elegance and less weight than the powerhouse 1996, this gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, fabulously ripe, rich, cassis-scented and flavored Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty. This classic Pauillac is a worthy rival to the other-worldly 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. Wow! What extraordinary wines Grand-Puy-Lacoste has produced in both 1995 and 1996. At present, I have a marginal preference for the blockbuster 1996, but I am not about to argue with anybody who prefers the 1995! Both are compelling wines.’

Vint Description Cl ? Cs Bt Cs Bt +
2004

Grand Puy Lacoste

 75 IB 2   240 -
Tasting Notes:
This excellent offering displays sweet black currant notes intermixed with notions of licorice, scorched earth, and spicy herbs. Medium-bodied and elegant with abundant fruit on the attack and mid-palate, and light to moderate tannin, it should drink well for 10-15 years. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 89
Drinking Period: 2007-2022
2003

Grand Puy Lacoste

 75 IB 1   295 -
Tasting Notes:
An atypically superficial effort from one of my favorite Pauillacs, the 2003 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is very good, but it does not stand up to some of the finest northern Medoc offerings. A deep ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by a moderately intense bouquet of black currants and underbrush. It hits the palate with good fruit and medium body, but tails off in the finish. It is an elegant, lighter-styled example of this generally high-class performer. It can be consumed over the next 10-12 years. Wine Advocate # 164 Apr 2006
Parker Points: 88
Drinking Period: 2006-2018
1996

Grand Puy Lacoste

 75 IB 2   650 -
Tasting Notes:
This is unquestionably a profound Grand-Puy-Lacoste, but it is excruciatingly backward. It reveals an essence of creme de cassis character which sets it apart from other Pauillacs. The wine is displaying plenty of tannin, huge body, and sweet black currant fruit intermixed with minerals and subtle oak. Massive, extremely structured, and with 25-30 or more years of longevity, this immensely-styled Grand-Puy-Lacoste will require 7-8 years of patience, perhaps longer. A superb, classic Pauillac. Wine Advocate # 122 Apr 1999.
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: Now-2030
1995

Grand Puy Lacoste

 75 IB 2   595 -
Tasting Notes:
95 points. A wine of extraordinary intensity and accessibility, the 1995 Cos d'Estournel is a sexier, more hedonistic offering than the muscular, backward 1996. Opulent, with forward aromatics (gobs of black fruits intermixed with toasty pain grille scents and a boatload of spice), this terrific Cos possesses remarkable intensity, full body, and layers of jammy fruit nicely framed by the wine's new oak. Because of low acidity and sweet tannin, the 1995 will be difficult to resist young, although it will age for 2-3 decades. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2025. Both the 1995 and 1996 vintages of Cos d'Estournel were even more impressive in late 1997 than earlier in the spring. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 2/98.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -
1985

Grand Puy Lacoste

 75 DP   1 - 55
Tasting Notes:
The 1985 has reached full maturity quickly. It is an excellent, nearly outstanding example of a juicy, succulent Pauillac oozing with sweet cedar, herb-tinged, black currant fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with low acidity, and a supple, nearly opulent texture, this wine is intensely charming and delicious. The only negative is the wine's short finish, which suggests it needs to be consumed over the next decade. Last tasted 10/97.Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 89
Drinking Period: 1997-2004