Château Grand-Puy Lacoste 2014

The philosophy at Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is all about a mixture of tradition and precision.  This Pauillac property is currently run by the well-respected Borie family and has been since 1978. Though the estate was classified as a Fifth Growth, François-Xavier Borie believed the terroir at Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste truly had the potential to produce wines that were the same quality level as some of the top Pauillac estates.  It turns out his instincts were right.  Under Borie’s leadership, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste produces phenomenally elegant wines that are considered benchmark expressions of Pauillac terroir.

Part of the name Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste derives from the geography of the estate.  The French word, “Puy,” loosely translates to, “small hill,” which is used to describe the estate’s hilly terroir. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of the oldest properties in the Médoc, with records of the very first plantings dating back to the 1500s.  The majority of the credit for forming Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste goes to the Dejean Family in the 1700s.  The Dejean family was one of the more active families in Bordeaux and they also owned what later became Château Lynch Bages.

The estate was passed down from generation to generation, largely through to the female side of the family. It was classified as a Fifth Growth in 1855 and eventually purchased by the Dupin Family in 1932.  During the 1930s, large parties were held at Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste as the Dupins were renowned for their excellent hospitality.  Eventually, the estate went to the Borie family in 1978 and they were responsible for initiating a renaissance at Grand-Puy-Lacoste.  They renovated the vat room and implemented an extensive replanting program.  Some of the changes included the addition of 90 temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for vinification of the wines.

Francois Xavier-Borie currently lives at the estate with his wife, Marie-Helene and managing Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is very much a family affair.  This is highly unusual, as few families in the Médoc actually live on property and spend a significant amount of time overseeing operations at the winery.  The Borie family is one of the more well-known families in Bordeaux, and a talent for viticulture runs within the family bloodline. Francois’ younger brother, Bruno Borie, oversees the illustrious “Super Second,” Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, with the help of his sister, Sabine. 

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a 90-hectare property, with plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  The estate has some very famous neighbors, including Château Lynch-Bages to the West and Château Pontet-Canet to the South.  In the mind of Francois-Xavier Borie, the best techniques are meaningless if the wine doesn’t express terroir. Needless to say, a lot of attention is paid to their vineyard practices.  Winemaking is a team effort helmed by the Borie family and their consultant oenologist, Eric Boissenot – one of the most respected consultants in Bordeaux.  Like many of the top Pauillacs, the wines of Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste demand time in the cellar.  They are full-bodied, juicy and powerful with tremendous ageability -- the perfect wine for Pauillac lovers.

"The 2014 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of my favorite wines from the Left Bank in this vintage. Bright and vivacious blackberry, cedar and graphite scents soar from the glass with real purpose. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite tensile with ample depth. It has matured since I last tasted it four years ago. It is very fresh and has a saline finish. Recommended. Tasted at the Bordeaux Index 10-Year-On tasting. N.B. Two bottles tasted blind at Southwold showed oxidation on the first." - Neal Martin, Vinous, (04/02/2024), Ratings: 95

"A vintage that gave its best side in Pauillac and St Estèphe, equal in many ways to the 2015 that followed, and better in some cases (but not always; the 2015 even in these two appellations is often the one to choose). Rich ruby colour, with depth and silkiness to the tannins. Think of this like a mini 2016 - all the same glorious savoury but concentrated fruits, the same graphite, pencil lead and flint that speaks of the appellation, but will be ready to drink just a little sooner, and not quite the same depths. Brilliant, with a juicy slate signoff. 75% new oak. September 25 to October 9." - Jane Anson, (09/29/2021), Ratings: 95

"The 2014 Grand Puy Lacoste is superb. Dark, dense and inviting, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth and richness. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco all develop in the glass, but it is the overall feel that is most impressive. Silky, polished tannins nicely balance the wine's overt personality. In short, the 2014 has it all. Don't miss it. This is a knockout wine from proprietor François-Xavier Borie." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/06/2017), Ratings: 95