Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2018

A classic Fifth Growth Pauillac displaying concentrated blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite, and refined tobacco notes. Full-bodied with precise structure, polished tannins, and exceptional freshness, this Left Bank Bordeaux offers remarkable depth, balance, and outstanding ageing potential.

Food Pairing: Pairs best with beef Wellington, roast lamb, venison, grilled ribeye, duck breast, and aged hard cheeses.

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

I love the purity of the 2018 Château Grand-Puy Lacoste, a ripe, upfront, expressive beauty that has loads of currant and cassis notes as well as flowers, spicy wood, graphite, and hints of tobacco. Full-bodied, rich, expansive, and incredibly sexy, it stays fresh and lively on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins.

95 Points - Decanter

Sweet black cherry fruits, bilberry and hedgerow. A little austere at this stage but confidently so, with a slice of bitter black chocolate. Big Pauillac tannins, no question - a little more prominent than they were en primeur. The wine has taken on weight over ageing so I am slightly extending the drinking window. Harvest 21 September and 5 October. 12% press wine. 75% new oak. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044

95 Points - Wine Spectator

Juicy and compact now, with dark currant, blackberry and fig notes at the core, surrounded by lots of warm earth, singed alder and tobacco leaf notes. Cast iron note helps extend the finish, with the fruit and earth notes keeping pace. Has a slight throwback feel, so if you like old school, ageworthy Pauillac, this is your wine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2038.

94 Points - James Suckling

Cherries and walnuts with dried flowers on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with very fine tannins, creamy texture and a bright, vivid finish. Plenty of currant and tar. Such polish and beauty. Drink after 2023.

94 Points - Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The 2018 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste shows greatness from start to finish, and it is built like a tank. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of black fruit, mineral notes, savory spices, and oak. Enjoy its powerful presence with grilled beef kebabs in a mushroom, white wine reduction sauce. (Tasted: June 25, 2021, San Francisco, CA)

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste displays a deep garnet-purple color and slowly emerging notes of ripe blackberries, blackcurrant pastilles and redcurrant jelly plus hints of cedar, underbrush, cinnamon stick and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate has well-managed, slightly chewy tannin's and a refreshing line lifting the black and red berry layers, finishing earthy.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

This is a relatively soft wine, its tannins already embracing the black-currant fruits. The structure is there, smoothly textured and ripe with fruitiness as well as good acidity. This wine is likely to develop relatively quickly, so drink from 2024.