2003 Grand Puy Lacoste

The 2003 Grand Puy Lacoste initially shows a slight mustiness on the nose. It's very tertiary, with gravel and vestiges of black fruit. A second bottle is much fresher and more vibrant, which is a success considering the vintage. Shows white pepper and clove. It's grippy, with touches of cooked meat, becoming spicier towards the finish. A little untamed, which is unusual for this Pauillac, but then again, why not once in a while? Tasted at the château.

The 2003 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, picked at 38hl/ha, has a lovely nose with scents of fireside hearth, black truffle and black pepper, plus plenty of open-knit black fruit underneath. The palate is medium-bodied and plush with supple tannins. Menthol notes render this a medicinal Pauillac, and in a sense, this trait occludes some of the terroir expression. Yet there is freshness in situ, providing satisfying length on the finish. Drinking perfectly now.

The 2003 Grand Puy Lacoste initially shows a little mustiness on the nose. It's tertiary, with gravel and vestiges of black fruit. A second bottle is much fresher and more vibrant, a success considering the vintage. White pepper and clove notes are pretty grippy, with touches of cooked meat becoming spicier towards the finish. A little untamed, which is unusual for this Pauillac, but then again, why not once in a while? Tasted at the château.