Grand Puy Lacoste 2013
Deep ruby with a tight rim, the colour shows depth as the Cabernets picked late. The nose of the cassis is still fresh with tones of truffle, liquorice and cigar box. There is dense black fruit through well-integrated tannins on the palate on the healthy structured palate. This vintage is intense and classically Pauillac of medium body and length. This wine is getting right after ten years of bottle age, and if you want to appreciate a certain edginess(JR says 'Chewy'; JS says 'racy') from the tannins and acidity of Pauillac, you may like it even more. The best score is yet to come. From RP proposed by N.M., it is a 92 and Vinous92. Quite 91 points. The price is great for now.
RP92. The Grand Puy Lacoste is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, picked at 31hl/ha from 30 September until 11 October, matured in 75% new oak. It has a fragrant red berry fruit on the nose: raspberry leaf and cranberry, undergrowth and a touch of tobacco. It is a very classic G.P.L. style but dialled down from previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and well-judged acidity, harmonious with cedar and tobacco on the finish. There is a different structure compared to recent vintages, although it is cohesive and, for want of a better word, honest. And what more can you ask from a wine? Tasted April 2014. Edited.
Vinous 92. The 2013 Grand Puy Lacoste is terrific. Graphite, smoke, tobacco and liquorice burst onto the palate, followed by layers of dark, inviting fruit. Supremely classy from start to finish, the 2013 impresses for its energy, balance and pure, mineral-driven cut. 2013 is not a huge wine, but it is super-polished. Tasted twice. (AG) Edited.
JS91. Dense and silky with lots of flowers and a black currant character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a long finish for the vintage. Edited.
WE91. This is a well-made, ripe while structured wine. With its juicy black-currant fruits, edge of firm tannins and balanced character, it brings out the best of the year with fruit and not too much structure. Drink from 2019. Edited.
