A refined and commanding Pauillac from a superb vintage, the 2019 Grand-Puy-Lacoste reveals intense cassis, blackberry, graphite, and fine tobacco notes, unfolding with quiet depth and precision. The palate is powerful yet beautifully composed, defined by its elegant, gravelly structure and finely polished tannins.
There is a sense of restraint and nobility throughout—nothing excessive, everything in balance. The finish is long, mineral, and deeply poised, reflecting both classic Pauillac identity and modern finesse.
A cellar-worthy wine of stature and longevity, built to evolve gracefully over decades.

The Wine Advocate | RP 96
Published: Apr 7, 2022
Drink: 2027-2065

The 2019 Grand-Puy-Lacoste exhibits notions of minty cassis, plums, loamy soil, burning embers and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety palate that’s deep and concentrated, its generous core of lively fruit concealing an elegantly muscular chassis of ripe, powdery tannin. Consisting of fully 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is another true classic from the Borie family.

This 90-hectare estate (some 60 hectares of which are in production), situated in a single block on a gravel dome around the château, has long been a favorite among Bordeaux insiders. Under Emeline Borie's direction, subtle refinements have been made: more than 100 soil pits were dug to better understand the château's geology; herbicides have never been used here, but now 20 hectares are devoted to a trial of organic farming; since 2013, a vertical press is used; and since 2012, the new vintage goes to barrel immediately after malolactic fermentation, before being blended early in the new year. Today's wines are a touch more immediately charming and structurally polished than the Grand-Puy-Lacoste of fifteen years ago, yet they have lost none of their classic Cabernet-driven Pauillac character. I regularly purchase this estate's wines for my own cellar, and the 2019 vintage is certainly no exception!

James Suckling | JS 96
Published: Aug 7, 2025

This wine is a little closed, but it shows fleshiness, richness power and opulence. Aromas of sweet spices from the wood, but they should integrate in the next three years. Ripe, but with a juicy, broad and long finish. 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot. 14.5% alcohol. Drink from 2029. From a vertical tasting at the winery.

Decanter | D 96
Published: Jan 5, 2022
Drink: 2026-2038

Generous nose, I love the smell here, richly fruited. The palate is on the linear, darker side with liquorice and coffee tones, lean and muscular - without any extra fat. A little austere at this point but good freshness and some bright cherry flavours on the finish. Overall a dark, heady, deep style with plenty of power, just waiting to open and expand. Give it some time.

Wine Spectator | WS 95
Published: Mar 31, 2022
Drink: 2024-2040

Dark but vibrant and racy, with sleek black currant, blackberry and black cherry puree flavors coursing through, pierced by a graphite spine and backed by tobacco, singed alder and freshly plowed humus notes. The long finish has a smoldering hint without sacrificing the purity of the fruit. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 

Jancis Robinson | JR 17+
Published: Aug 7, 2025
Drink: 2029-2050

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. 41 hl/ha.
Deep purple-black colour. Juicy and exuberant with dark-fruit, floral and graphite notes. Hint of vanilla oak as well. Tannins firm behind. Structured and expressive. Better balance than 2018 but not quite the class of 2020. (JL)