Grand Puy Lacoste 2020 (750ML)

96 WS / 96 VM / 95 DE / 94+ WA / 93 WI / 96-97 JS / 92-95 JD / 17.5 JR

#18 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023

A nice, tightly coiled Pauillac, with a blitz of iron and savory notes wrapped around a core of cassis, damson plum and black cherry. Sleek and tightly focused, with the iron note leaving a mouthwatering echo. Plenty tight through the finish too, so patience is needed here. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2028 through 2042. —J.M., Wine Spectator 

The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste fulfils its promise from barrel. It has a very sophisticated and complex bouquet with black fruit, pencil shavings and light estuarine scents, beautifully defined and focused. The palate has real intensity and concentration, the precision belying a very intense GPL not unlike the 2016 with a persistent graphite-infused finish that is just pure finesse. Magnificent. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Enjoyable, powerful, concentrated, not the most generous of GPLs but they have captured the essence of Pauillac, and it's hard to resist. Sappy juicy finish, full of cassis, mint leaf and pencil lead along the way with a clear tightness to the tannic frame. A yield of 31hl/ha. 75% new oak for barrel ageing. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is excellent, offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with pencil shavings, violets and loamy soil framed by a touch of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, pure and fleshy, with lively acids, powdery tannins and good depth at the core, its supple, charming style belies considerable aging potential. It's a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

This full-bodied red builds on the palate in a fantastic way with tight, compact tannins that grow and grow on the finish. Plenty of blackcurrant and graphite character and a flavorful finish. Same level as the excellent 2016. - James Suckling

The 2020 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a more fleshy, textured Pauillac that still plays in the concentrated, focused, structured style of the vintage. Ripe black cherries, currants, toasty oak, chocolate, and tobacco leaf notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured 2020 that has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years or so. - Jeb Dunnuck

Bright crimson hue. Classic in form and constitution. Firm and stately on the nose with graphite and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and fresh on the palate, the tannins smooth and refined but driving behind. Long, linear and persistent. Should age gracefully. - Jancis Robinson