2003 Pauillac, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
About Producer
In the same lineage of connected families during 200 years since its creation in the 1730s, Grand-Puy-Lacoste was sold in 1932 to Raymond Dupin who had a monumental reputation for his hospitality but sadly neglected his estate in the 1960s and 1970s. When Jean-Eugène Borie of Ducru-Beaucaillou acquired the estate in 1978, the vineyard was just half of its original size and the château itself was in a poor state of disrepair. Under the aegis of François-Xavier Borie, Jean-Eugène’s son, massive renovation and modernisation works were quickly rolled out, just in time to produce an outstanding wine in 1982. Since then, this 90ha estate has gone from strength to strength to outperform its 5th growth classification.
Varietals
Blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.
About Appellation
Largest town in the Médoc and slighly more elevated than its surrounding area, Pauillac has always played an important role in the wine trade, notably when the city of Bordeaux lost its privilege and monopoly of wine exports to England in the 18th century. The vineyards cover 1,213ha and sit on well-drained sand and gravelly soils, with the best sites being located on rolling mounds, called 'croupes', that reach their highest point at 30m above sea level. Cabernet sauvignon is the predominant grape variety, albeit always blended with merlot, and to a lesser extent, with cabernet franc and petit verdot. Pauillac is home to 18 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, including Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton-Rothschild (since 1973) as first growths.
Tasting Notes
Captivating nose of dark fruits, baking spices, cigar box and forest floor, intense mouthfeel with smooth texture, ample volume and excellent concentration, multilayered flavours of black currant, blackberry, cherry, liquorice and hints of chocolate supported by a firm mineral backbone, ripe acidity and integrated tannins leading onto a long, appealing finish. There has always been lingering scepticism about the staying power of 2003 bordeaux given the extreme weather conditions during that vintage. Drinking beautifully well now, this has evolved into a delightful wine with fine balance and fascinating poise. It’s rich and intense without ever straying into jammy or heady, and there is still enough fruit freshness that makes it quite enjoyable. I have a soft spot for this estate which consistently punches above its weight by delivering, even in hot years like 2003, brilliant wines at great value. (09/2021)