Château GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE 2016
In Pauillac, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste occupies a remarkable deep gravel ridge which is one of the historic terroirs of the appellation. Fifth Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the estate has belonged to the Borie family since 1978 and maintains a deeply classic identity, based on the precision of Cabernet Sauvignon and the wines' ability to evolve slowly in the bottle. The Günsian gravels, poor and particularly well-drained, force the vine to develop deep roots and promote regular ripening. Cabernet Sauvignon largely dominates the vineyard and imparts to the wines their character of blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, and their slender structure. Merlot brings more roundness and flesh without altering the decidedly Médoc balance of the cru. Grand-Puy-Lacoste rarely stands out by demonstrative power, rather privileging depth, freshness, and finesse of the tannic grain. The 2016 vintage is a particularly accomplished expression of this philosophy, with perfect ripeness of the Cabernets and remarkable tension.
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2016 blends 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot. This high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon builds a straight and deep architecture, while Merlot brings just enough volume to envelop the structure without weighing it down. The grapes are harvested plot by plot to respect differences in ripeness before separate vinification of the different lots. Extractions are carried out with precision to preserve tannic finesse and fruit clarity. Aging in French oak barrels then accompanies the wine and allows its structure to gradually gain harmony. The 2016 vintage combines significant concentration with particularly clear freshness, a combination that gives it great aging potential. After about ten years in bottle, it is only beginning to soften its framework and still has a long evolution ahead of it.
The color retains a very deep garnet with still youthful ruby reflections. The bouquet opens on blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, accompanied by violet, graphite, and cedar. Aeration gradually reveals nuances of blond tobacco, licorice, cocoa, and fine spices, while a mineral touch enhances the sensation of freshness. The palate is dense but perfectly controlled, with fine and tight tannins that give depth without harshness. Cabernet Sauvignon provides great length and remarkable precision, while Merlot softens the mid-palate and brings a more velvety texture. The finish is long, straight, and persistent, on blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, and spices. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2016 will accompany a roasted rack of lamb, a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, pigeon, duck breast, or refined cuisine around black truffle.
Grape varieties: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot
