2011 Grand Puy Lacoste

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot. 40 hl/ha. Still a youthful colour. Subdued nose with a dark-fruit nuance. Lifted edge to the palate but still quite tannic and austere. Firm in tone and form. Slightly chewy finish. Definitely needs some solid fare. (JL)

A classic Pauillac on the nose, showing ash, pencil shavings, cassis, lightly savory plums and subtle white pepper and tobacco. Really spot-on in term of balance, with firm, fine-grained tannins and a long, nuanced finish. Not a year with big concentration or density, but there is so much finesse and length. This is a benchmark reference. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot. Delicious now, but will hold well for the next several years. From a vertical tasting at the winery.

The 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste feels a little more open than its peers, scents of black cherries, star anis and juniper, playful and full of energy. The palate is ripe and quite sweet on the entry, good body, even a bit viscous in texture with a plush and generous, lightly spiced finish. Thoroughly enjoyable, though it just misses a sense of direction and precision. I will seek to reassess this at the château. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.