1994 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Grand-Puy-Lacoste is the drinker's Pauillac. It is not an investment wine (having been largely forgotten by the trophy hunters and investors looking to make a quick buck), although certain vintages (1982 and 1990) have tripled in price. Grand-Puy-Lacoste, usually loaded with character and personality, has enjoyed three fine vintages in 1993-95, with each of these years under-priced for such quality. The 1994 has turned out to be an outstanding effort for this estate. The wine reveals even more flesh than it did prior to bottling, as well as the high tannin that marks many of this vintage's wines. The color is an opaque ruby/purple, and the nose offers up a gorgeously pure blast of sweet cassis fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with layers of extract, this classic, rich, powerful Pauillac will be at its best between 2003-2020. A sleeper!

Vivid aromas of raspberries, licorice and cassis, hints of oak. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and succulent fruit flavors that build on the palate. Better in 1999. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1997.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste is the drinker's Pauillac. It is not an investment wine (having been largely forgotten by the trophy hunters and investors looking to make a quick buck), although certain vintages (1982 and 1990) have tripled in price. Grand-Puy-Lacoste, usually loaded with character and personality, has enjoyed three fine vintages in 1993-95, with each of these years under-priced for such quality. The 1994 has turned out to be an outstanding effort for this estate. The wine reveals even more flesh than it did prior to bottling, as well as the high tannin that marks many of this vintage's wines. The color is an opaque ruby/purple, and the nose offers up a gorgeously pure blast of sweet cassis fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with layers of extract, this classic, rich, powerful Pauillac will be at its best between 2003-2020. A sleeper! Wine Advocate.February, 1997