CHÂTEAU GRAND PUY LACOSTE

A bouquet of spring violets the nose has lots of fragrances and the start of the palate is fresh and quite light. There is more depth in the middle a greater weight of fruit but at the back the fresh fruits dominate and the finish is quite light. Drinking range: 2018 - 2028 Rating: 88-91 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)

Rating: 91 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2014)

Dark ruby. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant and violet. Rich and sweet on the palate, offering juicy flavors of dark plum and blueberry. Finishes smooth and persistent, with a lingering note of cedar. Rating: 88-91 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2014)

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Vibrant purple. Compact, tight nose, but superbly supple on the palate – sieved tannins, milk chocolate, just a little bit light on the finish. Very attractive and sensitively made – very powerful, very Pauillac. 2020-2033 Rating: 17+ Richard Hemming MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2014)

(80 Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 Merlot) 13.2% alcohol. Yields were down 15% at 31 hl/ha. More exotic on the nose than expected in this vintage and initially beautifully velvety on the palate. The tannins are strict but not out of balance – this is a wine which will age well. There is clever balance here and the wine is finely tuned. Just the right amount of press wine has been added (10%) after very careful assessment of the stock. The feeling was that the more structured elements must be chosen to suit the character of the vintage. This careful addition has broadened the flavour without adding any of the harshness or sour notes of many of the other wines. This is a terrific, lighter-styled GPL with all of their own classic hallmarks and a really clean finish. A masterful piece of winemaking in a very difficult vintage hence the big score. Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)

Racy and nicely put together, with plum, red currant and iron notes in lock step, while plum pit and savory details line the finish. A singed cedar hint supports the finish. Well done. Rating: 89–92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2014)

Deep colour and finely expressed fruit, cassis with a little spice, very Cabernet, dense but lifted, good middle fruit, good future. Drink: 2018-2028. Rating: 17.25 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2014)

A firm, fresh wine with currant, chalk and mineral character. Medium body, firm tannins and a crisp finish. Fine texture to this. Rating: 89-90 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)

The Grand Puy Lacoste is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot picked at 31hl/ha from 30 September until 11 October, matured in 75% new oak. It has a fragrant red berry fruit on the nose: raspberry leaf and cranberry, undergrowth and a touch of tobacco. It is very classic G.P.L. style but dialled down from previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and well judged acidity, harmonious with cedar and tobacco on the finish. There is not the usual structure compared to recent vintages, although it is cohesive and for want of a better word...honest. And what more can you ask from a wine? Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)

The 2013 Grand Puy Lacoste is terrific. Graphite, smoke, tobacco and licorice burst onto the palate, followed by layers of dark, inviting fruit. Supremely classy from start to finish, the 2013 impresses for its energy, balance and pure, mineral-driven cut. The 2013 is by no means a huge wine, but it is super-polished to the core. Rating: 90-92+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)