Wine Critic
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Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac 5th Grand Cru Classe 2018
Fifth Growth. Cinquieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855.
Critic tasting note: (2018 vintage)
"A little closed, with excellent aromas of black fruit, violets, grilled herbs and dark spices. It’s full-bodied with tight tannins and a long finish. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot. 14.5% alcohol. This structured, vertical wine needs more time in the bottle. Drink from 2030. From a vertical tasting at the winery." - James Suckling
"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. 93-95 Pts" - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"This is a relatively soft wine, its tannins already embracing the black-currant fruits. The structure is there, smoothly textured and ripe with fruitiness as well as good acidity. This wine is likely to develop relatively quickly, so drink from 2024." - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
Classification
5eme Grand Cru Classé
Producer Notes
The 2018 vintage marks the 40th anniversary of the Borie family's involvement with the château.
Drinking Window
2024-2050
Vineyard Notes
The estate's total surface area is 90 hectares around the Château, with 58 hectares of vineyard in production in one block. The average age of the vineyard is 38 years old and the terroir consists of very deep coarse gravel. Vineyard grape varieties are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare, with grafting using Riparia gloire and 101.14. Vineyard management includes mechanical ploughing of the soil and viticulture practices where spraying is kept to the absolute effective minimum.
Vintage Notes
This vintage is no doubt one of the great success stories of the chateau and what more fitting way to celebrate this 40th anniversary!
Harvest Notes
The wine was produced from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare.
Winemaking
The harvest was exclusively hand picked. Grape sorting involved two successive selections before and after the de-stemming process. Vinification included a long period of maceration for about 3 weeks.
Ageing
The wine was aged in French oak barrels (75% new barrels each vintage) for between 16 to 18 months depending on the vintage.
Producer Tasting Notes
This wine is deep magenta, intense and brilliant. The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe black fruits and liquorice, underlining the grapes' perfect maturity, whilst keeping a pretty freshness and good minerality. On the palate, the attack is precise, very dense and complex. This 2018 has a very fine balance combining power, elegance and complexity. It has a long, very aromatic and tannic finish. The whole emphasizing the great ageing potential of this wine.
