Drink 2010-2025
-Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide No 7

Another unbelievably rich, multidimensional, broad-shouldered wine, with slightly more elegance and less weight than the powerhouse 1996, this gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, fabulously ripe, rich, cassis-scented and flavored Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty. It should be drinkable within 4-5 years, and keep for 25-30. This classic Pauillac is a worthy rival to the other-worldly 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025.

Another unbelievably rich, multidimensional, broad-shouldered wine, with slightly more elegance and less weight than the powerhouse 1996, this gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, fabulously ripe, rich, cassis-scented and flavored Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a beauty. It should be drinkable within 4-5 years, and keep for 25-30. This classic Pauillac is a worthy rival to the other-worldly 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. Wow! What extraordinary wines Grand-Puy-Lacoste has produced in both 1995 and 1996. At present, I have a marginal preference for the blockbuster 1996, but I am not about to argue with anybody who prefers the 1995! Both are compelling wines.

Beautiful aromas of currant, plum and spice. Full-bodied, with a wonderful concentration of fruit, yet silky, racy and beautiful. Hold back on this. Better than I remember.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. James Suckling

Contrasting the 1995 against the 1996, the delicious 1995 is probably drinking sooner. The nose is delightful with fine delineation: crisp red berried fruit, raspberry and wild strawberry interlaced with cedar and mint. The palate is well defined with a great sense of tension and vigour. Very fine, crisp tannins married with lively red fruits that want to leap out of the glass. There are hints of tobacco and cedar towards the finish that shows fine persistency, if not the complexity of other vintages. Simply delicious to drink. Tasted September 2011.

Dark ruby-red. Ripe, expressive nose combines cassis, roasted plum and coconut. Supple, very concentrated and large-scaled; actually rather backward today even if the terrific ripeness is clear to see. Quintessential firm Pauillac backbone is covered by flesh. Will rely more on its tongue-dusting tannins than its acidity to age in bottle. This wine firmed up noticeably during its second year in barrel.

Notably dark. Markedly opulent nose. Fresh, light, a bit simple. Some obvious Cabernet freshness. Well done. Very, very slightly porty and over-oaked on the finish though. (JR)