2011 Grand Puy Lacoste 12 Pack

93 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

The savoury, floral edge of Cabernet on gravel is fully on display, and it needs time in the glass to soften and unroll. After a few minutes, the smoky side comes out, and the lean but concentrated berry fruit, although the tannins are a little crunchy. Delicious, a very classic Pauillac, full of pencil lead and crushed stone. 75% new oak.

92 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Reflecting the fruity, forward style of the vintage, this wine is packed with ripe black currants. There is a strong Cabernet character—it's dry initially, then followed by juiciness. It's a concentrated wine, although not for long-term aging. Drink from 2017.

91 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Shows purity and focus, with a core of bitter plum, cassis and lightly singed vanilla notes leading to a silky, relatively unadorned finish that glides along. Flickers of cedar and iron should emerge with cellaring. Best from 2015 through 2025.

91 POINTS

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

The dense ruby/purple-colored 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste exhibits a charming, open-knit bouquet of red and black fruits. It is a savory, medium-bodied, flavorful, well-endowed Pauillac from Xavier Borie that can be enjoyed over the next 10-15+ years.

90 POINTS

Ian D'Agata - Vinous

Good full ruby. Fresh aromas of raspberry, cola, cinnamon, smoke and graphite. At once silky and juicy, offering good intensity and a light touch to the smoky dark berry and graphite flavors. Nicely penetrating wine with lovely vinosity and spicy, fruity persistence. Boasts lovely texture and balance, offering plenty of early appeal but with the stuffing to age and improve another ten years. This strikes me as one of the most successful Left Bank wines in 2011.

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste feels a little more open than its peers, scents of black cherries, star anis and juniper, playful and full of energy. The palate is ripe and quite sweet on the entry, good body, even a bit viscous in texture with a plush and generous, lightly spiced finish. Thoroughly enjoyable, though it just misses a sense of direction and precision. I will seek to reassess this at the château. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

Julia Harding MW - JancisRobinson.com

Black cherry colour. Bright and breezy cassis aroma, fragrant. Lively, juicy and harmonious. Tannins are pretty chewy and thick but not hard. Honest and flavourful but a fine cedary finish. Score: 16/20

Jancis Robinson MW

Tasted blind. Some intensity and aroma. Very severe. Tannins only just mastered. Score: 16/20