Château Grand Puy Lacoste, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2009
Xavier and Emeline Borie have made a glorious range of 2023s. The fragrant GPL 2023 emerges from the glass with suggestions of violet, iris, bergamot, pencil shavings and creme de mûre. Cool, composed fruit flows over the palate; juicy and textural, but so well pixilated and defined. There's a real sense of freshness and verve and focussed energy to the pure bramble fruit. As one would expect, the tannins are impeccably judged with lots of rock salt and blackcurrant detail. A supremely elegant and refined GPL. Bravo! 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot.
critic reviews
Here we are in classic Pauillac territory, still young even at 15 years old, with a ton of tannic grip, slate and pencil lead, cassis and cocoa bean, channeling tension, freshness and bright fruits. A wonderful example of the vintage, needs a few more years than really being in its drinking window, but this is exceptional quality. 70% new oak for ageing.
Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2009 Grand-Puy-Lacoste prances out with exuberant notes of chocolate-covered cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and licorice, plus wafts of pencil shavings and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, drinking deliciously now, finishing on a lingering exotic spice note.
Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2009 Grand-Puy-Lacoste opens with a nose of sweaty leather, damp earth, baked cherries and dried mulberries with touches of fried herbs, black olives and cast iron pan. Medium-bodied, firm and chewy, this is a more elegantly styled 2009 with provocative herbal sparks and a ferrous finish.
The 2009 Grand Puy-Lacoste has a clean and precise bouquet with graphite infused red berry fruit, woodland scents, fern and touches of autumn leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite bold and assertive with dried blood and ferrous notes infusing the red fruit towards the persistent finish. You could broach this now although I would prefer to leave another couple of years, when it may well deserve a higher score. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.