Grand Puy Lacoste 2014

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

The 2014 Grand-Puy Lacoste has a bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, mint and graphite, well defined and focused. It does not have to try too hard to give so much pleasure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very crisp acidity, beautifully proportioned with a veneer of top quality new oak that will need three or four years to be fully subsumed. But the purity and elegance of this Pauillac cannot be denied – a quite brilliant contribution to the 2014 vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2050 Date: 01 March 2018

The 2014 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a much more approachable nose than usual, vibrant with red cherries, wild strawberry and cedar aromas, backed up with mineral-soaked blackberry fruit. This gathers momentum wonderfully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. The acidity is very well judged with purity and elegance on the finish, if not the structure or backbone commonly found is very top vintages. I've been a bit conservative with my score at the moment, but I am sure it will prove its worth with 3-5 more years in bottle, hence the plus sign. One to watch. (92+)

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2050 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2014 is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot between 25 September and 9 October at 33 hectoliter per hectare. The aromatics are not as immediate as the Haut-Batailley and demand more coaxing from the glass, but that comes with the territory. It unfurls with each swirl, black fruits at first, then GPL’s trademark, graphite and gravel scents storm into the room. Leaving the glass aside for 10 minutes there is a distant tang of shucked oyster shells. The palate is understated on the entry. This is not a powerhouse Grand-Puy-Lacoste, rather one that emphasizes finesse and precision. It is almost unerringly low-key and yet there is an enormous length already in place. As usual, I suspect that its secrets (or at least some of them) will be unlocked during its barrel maturation. One of the appellation's most cerebral offerings.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2045 Date: 01 April 2015

This red shows lots of redcurrants and fresh flowers on the nose. It’s full-bodied with juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to resolve some of the tannins. Beautiful cabernet character, but already a joy to taste.

Score: 97 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

This is a wine with a dense center, wonderful fruit, polished and refined tannins and a persistent finish. Full-bodied, long and intense. Beautiful pure cabernet character. Real wine. 82% cabernet sauvignon and 18% merlot. Higher percentage of cabernet than normal.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 20 March 2015

The 2014 Grand Puy Lacoste is superb. Dark, dense and inviting, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth and richness. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco all develop in the glass, but it is the overall feel that is most impressive. Silky, polished tannins nicely balance the wine's overt personality. In short, the 2014 has it all. Don't miss it. This is a knockout wine from proprietor François-Xavier Borie.

Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2039 Date: 01 February 2017

Vibrant and pulsating in the glass, the 2014 Grand Puy Lacoste impresses for its superb overall balance. The flavors are bright and beautifully expressive, with sweet floral notes woven throughout that give the wine much of its nuance, while the seamless, silky tannins speak to finesse. Even with all of its explosive energy, the 2014 is not an obvious or huge wine; rather it is a Pauillac that draws the taster in with its multiple shades of dimension. A wine of true class and pedigree, the Grand Puy Lacoste is shaping up to be a real gem in this vintage. Tasted twice.

Score: 92 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

A sleek, graphite-fueled version, with ample cassis and black cherry fruit racing along, picking up light tobacco, anise and bramble notes along the way. The fruit is vivid, presenting pleasant coiled-up energy. Should age nicely. Best from 2020 through 2030.

Score: 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2020-2030 Date: 05 January 2017

Rock-solid, with a gutsy core of plum, black currant, steeped fig and melted licorice snap, all carried by a gorgeous, charcoal-edged spine. Long, and loaded with fruit and grip. As solid as they come.

Score: 93 - 96 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

Strongly Cabernet in aroma and flavour with blackberry and cigar. Lovely character and with a supple mouthfeel, substantial fine and well-integrated tannins. Really good and classical Pauillac.

Score: 92 - 94 Albany Vintners, - Date: 24 April 2015

A bit richer than the Haut-Batailley. Something floral on the nose. Polished and straightforward though a little denser and longer term than its stablemate Haut Batailley. Very round and a sort of cross between Pauillac and Pomerol. In fact many of these Pauillacs are richer than many of the Pomerols in 2014. Very solid. Needs lots of time with all that tannin but very honest and a little more refined than the Pontet-Canet. Great minerally finish and lovely purity. (17++ Points)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2040 Date: 15 April 2015