2016 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 3ème Grand Cru Classé

97 POINTS

James Suckling

A neoclassical edition of Grand-Puy-Lacoste, this has cedar, graphite, deeply integrated cedar and spicy-oak influence and a very fresh array of ripe blackberries, dark cherries and cassis. The palate is so seamless. It builds beautifully and delivers a long, seamless array of perfectly ripe dark fruit, swathed in fine, firm, ascending layers of tannins. As good as we have seen in recent vintages, this is a star of the vintage. Try from 2024.

96 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This has a punch of mouthfilling dark cassis fruits and lots of complex tobacco, liquorice and truffle. Layer upon layer of flavour is joined by tight tannins, but with air and life in between. It's young and well balanced, easily equal to the power of a Lynch Bages or a Pichon Baron. I loved it en primeur and love it again here. Consultant is Eric Boissenot, technical director is Christel Spinner.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

This is all about the finish with a sweet-tobacco, berry and light milk-chocolate character. Full body, very fine tannins and a juicy finish. Love the intensity and finesse at the end. Lots of energy. Could better the exquisite 2014.

94 POINTS

Wine Spectator

A lively style, with lots of briar and tobacco notes out front, backed by punchy plum and black currant paste flavors. Has a shot of sweet tobacco lining the finish, with echoes of savory and hints of iron giving this range and length. Best from 2023 through 2038. 10,000 cases made.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

92–94. Barrel Sample. This wine is generously structured and rich, with firm tannins. It does have a hint of bitterness, though it should integrate quickly. It will be a fine wine from about 2027 on.

91 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Juicy and jammy, this wine is already smoothly textured. Its black fruits add a fresh touch and give a ripe feeling. Likely to develop quickly the wine will be ready to drink from 2022.

90 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This is a beautifully fresh wine with lovely, juicy black cassis flavours. The day-night temperature changes of up to 20 degrees centigrade made a huge difference to the quality of the tannins, and GPL has some of the steepest slopes and best draining soils in Pauillac to cope with the wet early season (although this also meant some blockage of young vines during the drought). Overall they have produced a plush, easy drinking wine that offers great pleasure. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with a yield of 50hl/ha.