Beautiful purity and freshness to the blackcurrants and blackberries with subtle notes of cedar and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied. So polished and silky, almost weightless. It’s very long. 77% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot.

Aromas of cassis cigar wrapper pencil shavings and violets introduce the 2023 Grand-Puy-Lacoste a medium to full-bodied fleshy and supple wine that's seamless and sensual with good depth at the core beautifully integrated tannins and a lively charming profile. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot that was picked between September 11-28.

The 2023 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak. It has a classic "GPL" bouquet with blackberry pencil box and light marine scents obviously not as powerful as the previous vintage yet in typical style beautifully defined and focused. Just a touch of cracked black pepper surfaces with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle but insistent grip just a light bitter edge lending tension and nerve. I perceive good depth here but this is not a powerhouse of a Pauillac (is GPL ever?). It fans out toward the finish whilst maintaining control. There’s an impressive linearity to this wine and thus I suspect it will require less bottle-age compared to recent vintages.

The 2023 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is powerful reticent and shy revealing notes of black cherry gravel scorched earth and licorice. It’s rich ample and quite potent marked by an intriguing mix of super-ripe Merlots and later-picked Cabernet. All of this fruit was picked before the September rain so the tannins are a touch aggressive. Time in bottle should help this come together.