Description

Red Wine: 1961 | Chteau Grand-Puy-Lacoste | Pauillac

On the stoic and stern side of the style range. The wine is focused on its cigar, tobacco, cedar side with firm tannins and a tart edge to the red fruits.

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Producer: Chteau Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Vintage: 1961

Size: 750ml

ABV: 12.5%

Varietal: Bordeaux Blend Red

Country/Region: France, Bordeaux

On the stoic and stern side of the style range. The wine is focused on its cigar, tobacco, cedar side with firm tannins and a tart edge to the red fruits. Some bottles are clearly better than others.

Producer Information

Chteau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a wine estate situated on a low hillock (or “puy”) above the village of Bages in the Pauillac region of the Mdoc. Classified as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant grand vin is known for its velvety texture and cigar box and cassis aromas. A second wine, Lacoste-Borie, is made from lots declassified from the grand vin and tends to have a higher proportion of Merlot. Grand-Puy-Lacoste, sometimes shortened to “GPL” in some circles, is a well-regarded estate. Sometimes considered as outperforming its fifth-growth status, it is often cited for its good value among its stablemates and neighbors in Pauillac. Chteau Lynch-Bages (a prime contender for reclassification higher than its 1855 status as another fifth gowth) lies due east, with Chteau Batailley to the south. Due north, albeit over one of the drainage streams that bisect the Haut-Mdoc in this area, is Chteau Pontet-Canet (another fifth growth that far outperforms its initial ranking) while to the west is Grand Puy Ducasse. The Grand-Puy-Lacoste vineyard is sited around the eponymous chteau and covers 55 hectares (136 acres) of the wider estate. It is planted 75 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Merlot and 5 percent Cabernet Franc. The soil is a classic Mdoc mix of layers of gravel of differing depths, mixed with sand and a little clay. With good drainage from the soils, Pauillac’s proximity to the Gironde estuary also moderates weather extremes and helps to guard against frost. Grapes are fermented in 43 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, sized to correspond to specific parcels of vines. Vats are then tasted and a blend is made before ageing. Grand-Puy-Lacoste sees 16 to 18 months in oak (two-thirds new wood), while Lacoste-Borie has 14 to 16 months in oak, 45 percent of which is new. The estate, which dates back to the 16th Century, has seen numerous family owners across the centuries. It is currently managed by Franois-Xavier Borie, whose family has owned the estate since 1978.