Château Grand‑Puy‑Lacoste is one of Pauillac’s great classic estates, known for producing Cabernet‑driven wines that are refined, structured, and deeply expressive of their gravelly terroir. As a historic 5th Growth, the château consistently delivers elegance over power—think dark fruit, fine tannins, and a long, polished finish that speaks to both tradition and meticulous craftsmanship.
In this 2021 we have all the style and quality to be found in fine vintages of Grand Puy Lacoste where our refined fruit combines with stylish smooth tannins. This vintage is also distinguished by a balance of alcohol and acidity different from its three predecessors, returning to a more moderate alcohol level, similar to the majority of previous vintages of Grand Puy Lacoste which have had class and balance, and given great drinking pleasure.
Grand Puy Lacoste 2021 has a deep ruby colour. The nose is of red fruit, violets, vanilla and spices. On the palate the wine is clean, dense and fresh. The floral and red fruit notes knit with the soft and ripe tannins. Overall the effect is of a wine with elegance, charm and vitality, leading to a pure and persistent finish.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
95 Decanter Lovely pretty and fragranced nose. A sense of classicism with bright, shining acidity underpinning crushed velvet textured tannins and a cola, liquorice cool undertone. Slightly lean but also with lots of Cabernet markers that do well to support the frame. Good weight and focus, with drive on the palate. It's light, it's not plush at all, and in that sense really quite linear and lean, but this totally works. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2045
95 James Suckling A refined, classic Pauillac with cassis, pencil shavings, ash and cherries. Juicy and really fine on the palate with silky tannins unwound into a layered, long finish. A refined, elegant interpretation that does not fall short on intensity. Real finesse here.
94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of the vintage's successes, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis and raspberries mingled with notions of violets, rose petals, pencil shavings and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, with a deep, layered core of pure fruit framed by ripe acids and sweet tannins, its suave, charming profile means that it will offer a broad drinking window. A slightly lower percentage of new oak, with lighter toasts, is reflected in better barrel integration out of the gates.
93 Wine Spectator The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a super-expressive wine. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that translates in the wine's flavor profile. Plum, dried herbs, menthol and spice gradually emerge. Although the 2021 is a bit tight today, it comes across as more of a medium-term proposition. –Antonio Galloni
93 Falstaff Dark ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Tobacco and herbal spices are woven against vibrant blackberries, fresh red currants and hints of liquorice and orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fresh red cherries with taut, well-integrated tannins and freshly structured nougat nuances on the finish. Good ageing potential.
