Classification:

Cinquième Cru Classé, Pauillac AC  (Fifth-growth in 1855).

Average Production:

Up to 15,000 cases of grand vin annually.

Recent En-Primeur prices:

2008 - approx A$90 - $100

2007 - approx A$100 - $120

2006 - approx A$110 - $125

2005 - approx A$140 - $175

2004 - approx A$80 - $95

Overview:

Set perhaps two kilometres inland from the Gironde Estuary, on a vast plain of vineyards (with Lynch and Croizet-Bages) Grand-Puy-Lacoste is both impressive and demure.  A beautiful Château meticulously maintained, yet modest by the standards of many classified growths, GPL’s physical being perhaps reflects its wine - certainly since its 1978 purchase by the Borie family.  Today it is managed by Xavier Borie, although his daughter has recently returned from working in Vietnam to join the family estate.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste is making some terrific wines today, and sits alongside Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages as the obvious ‘over-achievers’ of Pauillac’s fifth-growths.  Stylistically, GPL is quite modern in that it is concentrated, rich and clean, yet retains a traditional sense of power and reserve, and certainly ages superbly.

Vineyards:

With around 50 hectares of vines, GPL is one of Pauillac’s smaller producers.  Planted to approximately 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc with an average age of around 35-40 years.  The soils are very gravelly, lying on gentle gravel outcrops.

Winemaking:

Upon harvesting, the fruit is sorted and de-stemmed

before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel vats.  Fermentation and maceration generally lasts around three weeks (occasionally longer) before the wine is transferred into oak, of which about 40-50% is new.  It stays in barrel for around 18-20 months depending on vintage, being racked every three

months before being egg-white fined.  Some vintages also are lightly filtered prior to bottling.  All in all, fairly traditional winemaking is employed.

Other wines:

Lacoste-Borie (second wine).

Click here for tasting notes.