Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac) 2004

The origins of Grand-Puy-Lacoste, as well as that of its twin Grand-Puy-Ducasse, lie in a single estate that existed in the northern parts of the commune around Pauillac in the Middle Ages. The Grand Puy, puy being another of the seemingly endless litany of words which refer to a hill or mound, lies a few kilometres inland of the town of Pauillac. Dejean was a fairly wealthy landowner, buying and selling land; he owned the nearby Lynch-Bages as well as the vineyards on the Grand Puy. In 1750 he sold some of the latter vineyards to Pierre Ducasse, and common sense would suggest that this was the origin of Grand-Puy-Ducasse. What remained with the family, subsequently inherited by one of his daughters, was the origin of Grand-Puy-Lacoste.

The estate incorporated the Grand Puy, one of the many gravel croupes which are a feature of the Haut-Médoc, and which often provide the perfect terroir for Cabernet, and as a consequence they have an association with many of the greatest estates of the region. The vineyards now cover 55 hectares of the Pauillac commune, lying across two of the all important gravel croupes. The vines are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, accounting for 75%, the remainder Merlot, planted at a density of 10000 vines/ha, and with an average age of 40 years. As might be expected, harvest is manual, the fruit destemmed and then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel where it remains for up to three weeks before going into oak for up to twenty months. Of this, up to 40% will be new wood each vintage.

The grand vin is Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, of which there are up to 18000 cases per annum, and there is a second wine, Lacoste-Borie.

2004
A densely packed nose, full of sweet raspberry coulis, bright, vibrant and attractive. Nice flesh on the palate, with stony raspberry fruit and a little touch of greenness, well framed by the acidity. Good, slightly tarry tannins.

2009
Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 18%, Cabernet Franc 2%. 70% new oak. Yield 44 hl/ha. Vibrant hue, cherry red core, and a bright pink-red rim. Dark and characterful fruit on the nose, full of Pauillac spice, with a crystalline tinge to the plum and cherry fruit. Beautiful texture on entry, it has the vibrant fruit of a cooler vintage than this, with a supple and elegant texture. Very well integrated and cottony-silky tannins, gently coating the mouth, together with lots of fresh acidity. Lovely fruit, but with fine structure for the future. Substantial finish with a good length.