Another success from Grand-Puy-Lacoste – it’s bright and full of juice, prioritising vibrancy over power. As such, it has a touch less Pauillac typicity than in the absolutely brilliant 2016 vintage at this estate, although as it unfurls through the palate you do get the menthol, cassis and smoked cedar that is just such a beautiful sign of ripe Cabernet up in this corner of the world. They were extremely careful with extraction because of the high alcohols, so grapes underwent the shortest maceration to date with no pumping over just an infusion during the extraction process. Harvest took place between 21 September and 5 October. 12% press wine. 75% new oak used. A yield of 40hl/ha. Drink 2026 - 2040. 95 points

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot. 40 hl/ha. Black core with wide purple rim. Great purity of intense, ripe but fresh black fruit. The fruit flavours are ripe not overripe and scented with cassis and blueberry yet overall there is a freshness to balance the fruit and that rocky/pencil quality that was also on the Lacoste-Borie. Darker and more mineral on the palate, then really bright on the finish with refined tannins. There`s a real elegance here thanks to the purity of the fruit and the finesse in the tannins. Harmony and finesse right to the end. A very good year for Grand-Puy-Lacoste. 17.5 points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is scented of warm blackcurrants, black cherries, spice box, florals and chocolate box with a menthol hint. Full-bodied, the palate is rich, plush and generous, finishing long and perfumed. 92-94+ points

A wine of precision, energy and nuance, the 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is fabulous. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berry fruit grace this exquisite, nuanced Pauillac. Medium in body, understated and classy, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of the highlights of the year. In a word: impeccable. The 2018 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 2% Merlot from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare. 93-96 points

The grand vin from this branch of the Borie family is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, at 78% of the blend, with 22% Merlot. The fruit was picked between September 21st and October 5th, with a yield of 40 hl/ha. It has a fresh, fragrant and confident style, with scents of chalk dust, all quite charming and pure, along with notes of grilled and perfumed black cherry, providing some fresh, pure and bright interest. The palate is very direct and precise, nicely formed, with a savoury, broad and lithe substance, showing good concentration of tannins, in a ripe, velvety and textured style, with good grip, and underpinned by fresh acidity. It has some nicely grained cherry stone notes, with grilled pips and a toasty character, all draped over a ripe and tightly knit bed of tannins in the finish. A lovely purity and a fine, tightly grained grip here, with energy, vibrancy and length. Very well done. 94-96 points