By Matthew Jukes - April, 22nd 2017

MY TOP FORTY WINES IN 2015 - ALL STYLES WITHIN EACH SCORE BRACKET I HAVE LISTED THEM IN PERSONAL PREFERENCE ORDER: (my scores are out of /20) : n°16 - CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE (PAUILLAC) 19

2016 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 19++

François-Xavier Borie told me that his Cabernet berries were full of 'thick juice' as opposed to being made from smaller grapes than usual, which other properties reported, and this is the reason for the amazing concentration in this wine. The intensity of fruit is incredible with rare depth and traction on the tongue and this is also a vehicle for superb, grainy tannins. The oak is more obvious on the nose than usual and it is clear that this is a wine to keep for a long time. Powerful but also relatively lithe in terms of structure and weight, this is an amazing wine and a perfect counterpoint to the more exuberant 2015. The style and accuracy paraded by GPL in 2016 is a model for the commune and I anticipate it outliving the more flamboyant 2015, too.

(79 Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 Merlot) | 75% new oak | 13.3% alc. | 45 hl/ha