ZTF1002B - Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 Pauillac Fifth Growths Grand Cru Classe
Special Price: $695/bottle
Region/Classification: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux
Grape Varieties: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot
Alcohol Content: 14% vol
Volume: 750ml
Tasting Notes
This exceptional vintage exemplifies the noble character of Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest. The wine displays a deep, intense ruby hue, with a richly layered bouquet interweaving complex fruit notes and subtle hints of ripe blackcurrant. The palate is precise and full-bodied upon entry, immediately revealing an extraordinary velvety richness. The tannins are supple and elegant, displaying wonderful complexity with both silkiness and purity. The overall balance is superb, culminating in a long, stunning finish. In short, this Grand Cru Costes red wine shows immense promise!
Situated in the village of Pauillac, this estate was classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Médoc Classification! The term ‘Puy’ in its name signified ‘hill’ as far back as the Middle Ages. Perched atop the hillside, it benefits from exceptional terroir and a microclimate shaped by the estuary. It stands as one of the oldest estates within the Médoc.
Of Grand-Puy-Lacoste's 90 hectares, 58 are devoted to vineyards. The vineyard soil comprises a gravelly topsoil overlying a limestone layer, resulting in poor yet well-drained conditions. The selection of grape varieties cultivated according to these soil characteristics allows this exceptional terroir to express its qualities and character to the fullest. The current vineyard composition comprises 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, with an average vine age of 38 years and a high planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The estate possesses 43 temperature-controlled fermentation tanks of varying capacities, used to ferment grapes from distinct vineyard plots separately, ensuring each terroir's character is maximally expressed. Fermentation is conducted gently at a constant temperature of 28°C for 8-10 days, with appropriate punch-downs to promote tannin and pigment extraction. The must then undergoes approximately 10 days of maceration before malolactic fermentation. This process softens the wine's acidity, enhances stability, and imparts a smoother, more rounded palate. Aged for 16-18 months in French oak barrels (70% new), the wine develops powerful yet velvety tannins, embodying the quintessential characteristics of a traditional Pauillac.
The estate's history traces back to the 16th century, passed down through marriage from generation to generation until 1978, when it was acquired by the Borie family from Raymond Dupin. The Bories are also proprietors of the Second Growth Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Upon assuming management, François-Xavier Borie initiated a series of revitalisation measures, comprehensively modernising the estate's winemaking facilities and cellars. His wife, Marie-Hélène Borie, spearheaded the restoration of the château, encompassing the refurbishment of both interior and exterior spaces, alongside the creation of landscaped green areas surrounding the estate. Through the couple's dedicated efforts, the quality of wines produced at Château Ducru-Beaucaillou has steadily risen. Renowned British wine writer and connoisseur Hugh Johnson has lauded their calibre as surpassing that of the Fifth Growth classification.
