Grand-Puy-Lacoste is an estate on the up. Its success, as the welcoming Isabelle La Sueur told us, can be attributed to owner François-Xavier Borie, who since taking over from his father, has taken this 5th growth Pauillacchâteau from good to great. Xavier has rebuilt the cellars, installed smaller vats and instigated a more rigorous selection process.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste's wines carry a hint of crème de cassis, which is the château's trademark characteristic in top vintages.

Attractive aromas of bramble with kirsch and cherry. The palate has lots of vibrant refreshing black berry fruits and some hot stone mineral notes. Straightforward but well made with good vitality and aromatic on the finish.

"As shrewd consumers know, Pauillac’s value picks remain Grand-Puy-Lacoste, and increasingly, Duhart-Milon A deep garnet hue. The nose has modest intensity with blackcurrant leaf, a touch of shellfish and a little iodine that turns into bouquets of violets with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, very foursquare, very Pauillac with its tobacco flavours and dry, almost earthy finish." eRobertparker.com