Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, Bordeaux 2018

“Juicy and compact now, with dark currant, blackberry and fig notes at the core, surrounded by lots of warm earth, singed alder and tobacco leaf notes. Cast iron note helps extend the finish, with the fruit and earth notes keeping pace. Has a slight throwback feel, so if you like old school, ageworthy Pauillac, this is your wine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2038.”-95WS

Grand-Puy-Lacoste is situated in the terroir of Pauillac, one of the Médoc’s six communal appellations along the Gironde estuary’s left bank.

The Pauillac appellation is limited to the communal district covering 2,274 hectares. It boasts 18 properties classified in 1855 (around 85% of the appellation’s total production). The commune is separated from Saint-Estèphe to the north by the marshy area of Breuil, and from Saint-Julien to the south by the hollow formed by the Juillac stream.

The plateau of Grand-Puy is west of the village, above the hamlet of Bages. This outcrop of the terrain (called a “puy” in the old local dialect).