Tasting Note:
Emeline Borie describes 2020 as a more “classical in style” than 2018 and 2019. There isn’t any of the flamboyance that we’ve witnessed in the preceding two vintages. This is back to classical lines, structure and refinement. The grand vin is produced from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot from yields of just 31hL/ha. Initially this is quite reticent, the bouquet is tightly coiled refusing to reveal itself. With aeration one gets a glimpse at the potential aromatic profile: bright cherry, spices and gentle potpourri. The palate is much more expressive at this nascent stage. Pure, ripe, refined and very detailed, this is wonderfully floral with waves of expressive, silky cassis interplaying with starry crimson fruit and darker, brooding mulberry notes. This feels polished, yet classical, there’s no sense of excess. As one would expect, the tannins are harmonious and integrated daubing the palate with dazzling griotte and graphite. A profound and reflective GPL.
“The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a very refined, almost understated bouquet at first, but it opens in glorious fashion to offer precise blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone and wild mint, gaining intensity at its own pace. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, a keen thread of acidity, layers of intense black fruit and quite a spicy, vibrant and certainly persistent finish. This is a brilliant GPL from the Borie family." 95-97/100 – Neal Martin, vinous.com
"This full-bodied red builds on the palate in a fantastic way with tight, compact tannins that grow and grow on the finish. Plenty of blackcurrant and graphite character and a flavorful finish. Same level as the excellent 2016". 96-97/100 - James Suckling
"The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is an explosive, vibrant Pauillac. The bouquet alone is captivating. Lavender, grilled herbs, menthol, chocolate and crème de cassis all race out of the glass. A wine of vertical structure and precision, the 2020 is a total stunner. It simply dazzles from start to finish. Drink from 2032 to 2050." 93-96/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Enjoyable, powerful, concentrated, not the most generous of GPLs but they have captured the essence of Pauillac, and it's hard to resist. Sappy juicy finish, full of cassis, mint leaf and pencil lead along the way with a clear tightness to the tannic frame. A yield of 31hl/ha. 75% new oak for barrel ageing." 95/100 - Jane Anson, Decanter.com
"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of pencil lead, damp soil and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled and refreshing, delivering soft, skillfully managed tannins and just enough freshness to frame the juicy black fruits, finishing savory." 91-93/100 - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
"Black-red; a particularly refined and subtle “cassis-Cabernet” nose; medium-full, fresh to crisp in acidity, very fine in gently firm tannin; long, fresh, elegant, even, ripe red fruit in flavor, backed by subtle mineral impressions, long across the palate, refreshing, restrained, and with very fine tannin textures, of modest intensity and with excellent, subtly gravelly red-fruited length. Beautifully understated by comparison with many in this often somewhat “strong” vintage. A complete, restrained, classy Pauillac. Drink 2026 - 2040." 92-94/100 - Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine