Even at 22 years of age, this needs either another 5 years in the cellar, or 2 hours in the decanter before the cassis, cedar chest, burnt wood, cherry and tobacco notes emerge. The wine is full bodied, concentrated, masculine and a bit stern. There is also a muscular, refined quality to the tannins that is hard to miss. This is a super example, of a textbook Pauillac wine. With luck, I will hold on to my last few bottles for another decade or so. I would not be surprised to see this drinking well at 40 years of age. Tasted March 2019

This is unquestionably a profound Grand-Puy-Lacoste, but it is excruciatingly backward. It reveals an essence of creme de cassis character which sets it apart from other Pauillacs. The wine is displaying plenty of tannin, huge body, and sweet black currant fruit intermixed with minerals and subtle oak. Massive, extremely structured, and with 25-30 or more years of longevity, this immensely-styled Grand-Puy-Lacoste will require 7-8 years of patience, perhaps longer. A superb, classic Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #122, Apr 1999)

Lots of plum, currant and vanilla aromas. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh, citrus and fruit aftertaste.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. James Suckling

The 1996 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, now at 20 years old, has a very typical bouquet for this estate: correct, linear, well defined, conservative but intense, with pencil shavings, cedar and a subtle balsam aroma. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm structure and well-judged acidity that lends this 1996 impressive focus. It is totally and unashamedly classic in style, austere compared to other Pauillacs from this vintage, the kind of gentleman's claret that should grace a dinner table. I have actually encountered slightly better bottles than this one, tasted at the property. It remains a very fine Pauillac that should drink well for 20-odd years ... just expect a little austerity and aloofness. Tasted July 2016.
The Wine Advocate #227, October 2016