Wine of the Week 2000 Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac

Over the past several decades, Pauillac has become the most collectable major Bordeaux appellation in the Medoc. Some of that has to do with the image that comes with being the home of 3 First Growth wines. Pauillac also represents what many think is the quintessential expression of Bordeaux, offering a strong tannic backbone, refinement and power, with the ability to age and evolve for decades.

At the top of the pyramid, many of those wines, especially the 1855 First Growths have become far too expensive for a lot of wine lovers to buy today. But not all Pauillac wines are at the same price level. Our wine of the week focuses on Grand Puy Lacoste because not only are they producing great wines, with real Left Bank character, they are also still affordable. Under the watchful eye of Francois Xavier Borie and Emeline Borie, the wines being made at this Fifth Growth estate today have never been better! But Pauillac in the great vintages is not a wine that shows well young. The wines need time. So, how is our wine of the week showing at 16 years of age?

2000 Grand Puy Lacoste offers everything you want in a great Medoc wine. At 16 years of age, this is still young, fresh, vibrant and complex. The tobacco, cassis, cedar and cigar box aromatics are right there. And so is the beautiful display of pure cassis. The wine is masculine, yet there is a refined air to its austere, Pauillac roots. Give it an hour or two in the decanter to allow the wine to soften and fill out. And keep in mind that as good as this is today, this wine is only going to get better from here. 94 Pts