The 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, a Bordeaux blend from the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France, showcases a nuanced and robust profile. Produced by Grand-Puy-Lacoste, this red wine consists of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, with an alcohol level of 14.2% and a pH of 3.57. The harvest, noted as the earliest in the estate's history, took place from September 7 to 23, yielding 38 hectoliters per hectare. Only 60% of the crop was selected for the Grand Vin, and the wine was aged in 75% new French oak.
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the wine an excellent score of 97 points, describing it as having "flowers, blackberries, spice, cigar box, black currants, cherries, and cedar" in its aroma profile. He noted its "sweet, fresh, spicy, chewy, and almost creamy" palate with a "long, intense, and complex" finish, highlighting its aging potential.
William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated it at 97 points, praising the wine as "a brilliant classic in the making." Kelley highlighted the wine's "aromas of dark berries, violets, and pencil shavings," and described the palate as "layered and concentrated, exhibiting beautiful structural refinement and purity of fruit."
James Suckling awarded the wine 96 points, noting its "very structured and rich" nature with flavors of "blackberry and chocolate." He emphasized its "solid core of fine tannins and a fresh and muscular finish."
Jane Anson from janeanson.com also scored it at 96 points, describing the wine's "inky depths," "violet edging," and "bitter black chocolate and graphite" notes. She emphasized its "beautiful balance and juice," showing the 2022 vintage's capability in the right hands.
Neal Martin of Vinous provided the highest score at 98 points, describing the wine as having "enticing traits of freshly-rolled tobacco and undergrowth," with a "silky smooth" texture and a "peacock's tail of mineral-rich, quite peppery black fruit on the finish."
Decanter's review, also at 96 points, called the wine "gorgeous" with "black bramble fruits, flowers, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and liquorice." They praised its "power and concentration" balanced with "juicy liveliness, great tension, and energy," concluding it as "an excellent wine that really over delivers."
The Wine Independent rated it 95 points, noting its "deep garnet-purple color" and aromas of "cassis, black cherry preserves, and kirsch." The palate was described as featuring "fine-grained tannins and bold freshness," with a "long and lifted" finish.
In summary, the 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a highly praised Bordeaux blend, noted for its complexity, structural refinement, and aging potential. Reviews consistently highlight its rich flavors, balanced texture, and excellent aging potential.