2017 Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)

The 2017 Lacoste Borie was picked from 15 to 29 September, cropped at 49hl/ha. It has a clean, fresh and slightly earthy bouquet, what you might call “classic” in style, perhaps not quite as precise as the 2016 but then again, few 2017s are. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and strict tannin, a little raw at the moment with a small attenuation on the slightly rough-hewn finish. Not bad although I would like to see more finesse by the time of bottling. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 88-90 points

This is bright, with extremely well-placed, juicy blue fruits with coffee touches, and a gorgeous sense of energy. It`s a definite buy in this vintage, and should be great value. Technical director Christel Spinner has done a great job of delivering a focussed, finessed wine. I wouldn`t wait too long to enjoy this, as it already has lots to enjoy. Harvested 15-29 September, yielding a fairly normal 49hl/ha, so we can safely say no frost here. 92 points

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Winemaker/R&D director Christel Spinner suggests it will develop épaules (shoulders) during barrel ageing. Colour of blackcurrant juice. Fresh and peppery with lots of pure, fine cassis on the nose. Dark and pure. Silky, moreish, not that much more intense than the second wine Lacoste Borie but a little more persistent and more depth in the middle. Fine tannins, soft and supple. Fresh on the finish. Pure and persistent in its relative delicacy. 17 points