Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016

Professional Ratings

• 97 James Suckling
  A neoclassical edition of Grand-Puy-Lacoste, this has cedar, graphite, deeply integrated cedar and spicy-oak influence and a very fresh array of ripe blackberries, dark cherries and cassis. The palate is so seamless. It builds beautifully and delivers a long, seamless array of perfectly ripe dark fruit, swathed in fine, firm, ascending layers of tannins. As good as we have seen in recent vintages, this is a star of the vintage. Try from 2024.
• 96 Decanter
  This has a punch of mouthfilling dark cassis fruits and lots of complex tobacco, liquorice and truffle. Layer upon layer of flavour is joined by tight tannins, but with air and life in between. It's young and well balanced, easily equal to the power of a Lynch Bages or a Pichon Baron. I loved it en primeur and love it again here. Consultant is Eric Boissenot, technical director is Christel Spinner.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  A lively style, with lots of briar and tobacco notes out front, backed by punchy plum and black currant paste flavors. Has a shot of sweet tobacco lining the finish, with echoes of savory and hints of iron giving this range and length. Best from 2023 through 2038.
• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Grand-Puy-Lacoste gives up pure kirsch and red and black currants with violets and baking spices. Medium-bodied, firm and grainy, it's very expressive with good concentration and length.
  Rating: 94+
• 91 Wine Enthusiast
  Juicy and jammy, this wine is already smoothly textured. Its black fruits add a fresh touch and give a ripe feeling. Likely to develop quickly the wine will be ready to drink from 2022.
• 91 Connoisseurs' Guide

  If not the flashiest or deepest member of the Pauillac contingent, the Grand-Puy-Lacoste is nevertheless a very solid representative of its commune and offers up a fine and concentrated mix of dark fruit and spice underpinned by plentiful, plainly evident Cabernet tannins. Be in no hurry and give it some time – another five or six should be about right – and know that it will continue to grow and evolve favorably as it softens and expands for no fewer than five or six more.