Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2021

A superb GPL this year with one the highest percentages of Cabernet in the blend. Rose hawthorn notes on the nose – really nuanced. A little bit more closed on the palate in terms of overt acidity and fruit but this has such a beautiful texture, silky smooth with fine tannins that are persistent and mouthfilling but very elegant too, they frame the ripe fruit and mineral flavours – lots of bitter black chocolate and liquorice on this as well as salinity too. This has a much more subtle power than many others – a tense core, tightly wrapped but presenting a lovely juicy fragrant cherry flavour with terroir markers in the liquorice and lick of wet stone and the gorgeous Cabernet eucalyptus on show. So much potential – this will be excellent. I love it! Once it comes around it will have a very long life indeed. Ageing 75% new barrels. 55% grand vin. Drinking Window: 2026-2045. Score – 95. (Georgina Hindle, decanter.com)