The assemblage is the decisive moment in the creation of each vintage, calling into play the talents of all.

Each vat is regularly tasted to get an early understanding of the vintage profile before the assemblage takes place, usually in December. This is a team effort, with François-Xavier Borie, his wife Marie-Hélène, their daughter Emeline, their consultant oenologist Eric Boissenot, their research and developpment director Christel Spinner (who is also an oenologist), their cellar master Philippe Gouze and their vineyard manager Antonio Flores.

How many tastings for each vintage? How many trials, tests, meetings, doubts? When it is a matter of giving voice to the terroir, of finding the right balance between Château style and vintage profile, time matters little. This extraordinarily precise work calls upon taste memory, sensation, and intuition to anticipate how each lot will develop as it ages, how each one will contribute to the finished wine.

Each year's selection reflects the principles of excellence that have guided the family for over thirty years. The wines not selected for inclusion in Grand-Puy-Lacoste go to the second label created in 1982: Lacoste-Borie, a wine made for drinking young.

The typical character of each grape variety subtly influences the balance of the whole.

During the assemblage, the winemaking team plays on the complementary character of the vineyard's three grapes to preserve Grand-Puy-Lacoste's complex style every vintage.

Cabernet Sauvignon gives vigor and firmness to the wine. It develops very characteristic aromas of red fruit, and its aromatic palette gains in complexity with time.

Merlot is its indispensable complement. It is prized for its roundness, finesse and generosity.

Cabernet Franc has a great potential for finesse, imparting elegance to a wine.