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2008 Grand Puy Lacoste
92 RP-NM
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$145.00
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Review
You start to feel the dial turning up the power as this travels through the palate. Even at 10 years old, the tannins go in deep around the fruit, with luscious menthol notes on the finish. This is one of the juiciest of the Pauillacs, with layers of plum fruits, tobacco and melted tannins. It's totally firing on all cylinders, although not a blockbuster, reflective of this vintage. But that means you can drink this now, or you can wait; either way you can enjoy what is going on here. Drinking Window 2018 - 2034 Decanter
Decanter | 92 RP-NM
Critic Reviews
You start to feel the dial turning up the power as this travels through the palate. Even at 10 years old, the tannins go in deep around the fruit, with luscious menthol notes on the finish. This is one of the juiciest of the Pauillacs, with layers of plum fruits, tobacco and melted tannins. It's totally firing on all cylinders, although not a blockbuster, reflective of this vintage. But that means you can drink this now, or you can wait; either way you can enjoy what is going on here. Drinking Window 2018 - 2034
Decanter | 94 DEC
(Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste) The 2008 Grand-Puy-Lacoste was not showing quite as well as its stable-mate, Haut-Batailly, during my visit to the property in April, but one has to assume that this was simply a moment of adolescent awkwardness for the wine. The nose is very deep and still very closed, as it reluctantly offers up scents of black cherries, cassis, tobacco leaf, plenty of gravelly soil tones, cedar and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with lovely, nascent complexity, a superb signature of soil, plenty of ripe tannins, very good acids and fine length and grip on the very gravelly and smoky finish. This will take longer to come around than the Haut-Batailly, but should also prove to be a fine example of the vintage. (Drink between 2020-2050)
John Gilman | 91 JG
The 2008 Grand Puy Lacoste has a very expressive bouquet with blackberry, cedar and graphite notes, quintessentially Pauillac, building in intensity all the time in the glass but remaining "correct". The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin on the entry, more red fruit here than black, good density with a fine bead of acidity. This all leads to a cohesive finish that might be more forward than I expected or would have liked. It is a fine GPL albeit one that feels conservative and does not reach for the stars like other vintages under Xavier Borie. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting).
Vinous Media | 91 VM
A beautiful, classic wine, the 2008 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has an old school nose of currants, saddle leather, ground herbs, cherries, hints of dried flowers and just a touch of cedar. It's ripe, medium-bodied, lightly textured, and has true Pauillac character. Drink it over the coming decade or more.
Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JD
Decanter | 94 DEC
(Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste) The 2008 Grand-Puy-Lacoste was not showing quite as well as its stable-mate, Haut-Batailly, during my visit to the property in April, but one has to assume that this was simply a moment of adolescent awkwardness for the wine. The nose is very deep and still very closed, as it reluctantly offers up scents of black cherries, cassis, tobacco leaf, plenty of gravelly soil tones, cedar and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with lovely, nascent complexity, a superb signature of soil, plenty of ripe tannins, very good acids and fine length and grip on the very gravelly and smoky finish. This will take longer to come around than the Haut-Batailly, but should also prove to be a fine example of the vintage. (Drink between 2020-2050)
John Gilman | 91 JG
The 2008 Grand Puy Lacoste has a very expressive bouquet with blackberry, cedar and graphite notes, quintessentially Pauillac, building in intensity all the time in the glass but remaining "correct". The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin on the entry, more red fruit here than black, good density with a fine bead of acidity. This all leads to a cohesive finish that might be more forward than I expected or would have liked. It is a fine GPL albeit one that feels conservative and does not reach for the stars like other vintages under Xavier Borie. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting).
Vinous Media | 91 VM
A beautiful, classic wine, the 2008 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has an old school nose of currants, saddle leather, ground herbs, cherries, hints of dried flowers and just a touch of cedar. It's ripe, medium-bodied, lightly textured, and has true Pauillac character. Drink it over the coming decade or more.
Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JD
Wine Details for 2008 Grand Puy Lacoste
| Type of Wine |
Bordeaux Red
: Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Country |
France
: Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive. |
| Subregion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | Pauillac |
| Cru | Fifth Growth |
Overview
| Producer |
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste
: Pauillac is perhaps the most famous appellation in the Bordeaux Region, where it is home to three of the five First Growths. The list of prominent properties residing in Pauillac is long and distinguished and share a terroir that is unmistakably one of the greatest in the Medoc. Grand Puy Lacoste sits on a 55-hectare hill property where its name is partially taken. It dwells in a land of incredible competition but has enormous potential of its own and since 1979, the Borie family has vowed to waken the “sleeping beauty.” The initial plantings of Grand Puy Lacoste (GPL) dates back to the 1500’s. At that time, the property was owned by the Guiraud family. In fact, only four families have owned this spectacular chateau since, which is an amazing feat given how many chateaux have been purchased by conglomerates over the years. Each family played a part in the molding of GPL’s history, making contributions in their own manner. The Dejean family can be greatly credited for forming what we know as Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste today. The family was quite active in Bordeaux during the 1700s, owning other properties of prominence including Chateau Lynch Bages. During a time of reconstruction and the selling of vineyards, the Dejean family retained a portion of the estate. These vineyards would be handed down to a daughter and through marriage to the Lacoste family, came its namesake. Grand Puy Lacoste takes its name from the Lacoste family combined with the topographical term “puy” for which the hill it sat upon. During the Lacoste era, the construction of the original chateau was completed at the time of the 1855 Classification. The property would trade hands once more before landing in the care of the Borie family. Since 1979, Jean Eugene Borie, whose family has extensive roots in Bordeaux dating back to the 1800’s and his son Francois-Xavier have taken extreme measures to resurrect the property to what it reflects today - excellence. Grand Puy Lacoste is nestled between Chateau Pontet Canet and Chateau Lynch Bages. The vineyards are planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The terroir is filled with gravel, large pebbles, and stones in the soil over a bed of limestone. This typical Left Bank soil structure, the climate of Pauillac and human effort by the Borie family has allowed the success of Grand Puy Lacoste to only rise in quality and fame. The 2009 and 2010 vintages were fantastic and very well may be the greatest in the estate’s history. 12,000 cases of Grand Puy Lacoste are produced annually. The second wine, Lacoste Borie, which debuted in 1982, mirrors the flagship but is more approachable at a younger age, where its sibling will age gracefully for up to 35 years. The Borie family’s promise to wake the “sleeping beauty” has is being fulfilled. The future success of GPL will be exciting to watch. |
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