Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2017

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur mit rubinroten Reflexen. Was für ein Parfüm nach frischen Schattenmorellen, erkaltetem Hagebuttentee und roten Johannisbeeren. Im zweiten Ansatz Alpenheidelbeeren, Rosmarin und Virginia-Tabak. Am feingliedrigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und kakaoartigen Tanninen, was für eine Delikatesse. Im aromatischen Finale zeigt der GPL rotbeerige Konturen, dann zarte Krallen und damit gute Reserven. Für Finessentrinker ein absolutes Must!"

DECANTER: "These guys often over-deliver in challenging years, and have done so yet again. As you would expect in a vintage that has produced such an excellent Lacoste Borie, this GPL is exceptional, a real success that's juicy and carefully extracted. It has weight and impact, with a Pauillac tannic hold and presence. It's one of my wines of the vintage, and a must buy. The balanced, sculpted, juicy black fruits fully deliver personality and signature style."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of fresh raspberries with some lemon peel and fresh herbs follow through to a full to medium body. Fresh herbs and graphite highlight the wine. Chewy finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2022."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "A fresh, lively, vibrant and classically styled wine with bright, crunchy cassis, citrus, tobacco, earth and cranberry notes. The wine is medium/full bodied and seems to be holding much of what it has to offer in reserve. This is one of the few wines this year which will need cellaring before it is ready to drink. Made from blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it reached 13.3% alcohol."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, relativ verschlossen, pikant rotbeerig, Nuancen von Grüntee, Vervaine und Baumharz. Weicher und vergleichsweise großzügiger Ansatz, kräftiger Körper, milde Säure, sehr feines Tannin, ganz seidig und frisch, poliert und lang anhaltend, viel Saft, leicht salziger Hintergrund."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A taut and minerally version, defined by a chalky underpinning that harnesses the core of damson plum, bitter cherry and red currant fruit. Streaks of cedar, chestnut and bay leaf mark the finish. Shows the austere, iron-driven side of Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2038."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Mid crimson. Rather sumptuously ripe on the nose. Correct and aromatic. And then lots of dry tannin on the end but with promising, classic fruit in the middle. This should make older bones than most. But definitely needs time!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is a stylish wine that displays plenty of black currant fruit framed by fine tannins. Medium bodied, the it has a juicy core that is already attractive, but for best enjoyment, drink from 2023."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the 2017 Grand-Puy-Lacoste was aged in French oak barriques, 75% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with notes of fresh black raspberries, kirsch and crushed black and red currants with hints of spice box, fragrant soil and potpourri. Medium-bodied, the palate is frisky and fresh with a moderate level of approachable, soft tannins and compelling restraint on the finish."