Description

I am fortunate to have drunk numerous vintages of Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Time and again they have proven they can make outstanding wine, that ages well. Especially of note is that they do it in terrible vintages. In short buy GPL! This estate shares a hill with the similarly named Grand-Puy-Ducasse. Likef many terroirs in Bordeaux these two estates started in the same family. Today they have 36 hectare in the ground consisting of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. This is old fashion Bordeaux; structure, acidity and elegance. Wines to cellar and enjoy in the long-term.

Pauillac

The powerhouse of the Left Bank. It contains three of the five first growth wines in the Medoc and a wealth of other great Chateaux beyond that. It combines the cool charm of St-Julien to the South and the rugged richness of St-Estephe to the North and makes the wines that are often thought of as classic Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon reigns here and expect wines that are built to last 40 years in a great vintage.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The noble variety of Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm tannins, a streak of acidity and punctuated by flavours of cassis, violets, spice and leather. The best examples can age for the long-term. Although Cabernet does often require blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to fix the hole it has in its middle palate.

Merlot

It gets a tough time most of the places it is grown. But in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Merlot not only dominates but makes some of the best wines in the world. Perfume, silky and plush. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon season the wines with structure and acid but in some places, like Petrus they are almost not needed.

2017

If you like elegant, lighter and less oaky Bordeaux (and who doesn’t?), then this will be a year to carefully buy. At their best, a few of the wines are as good as the 15 & 16 vintages. But stick to great red Bordeaux producers. Whites and Stickies were quite good.