Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A benchmark Pauillac delivering depth, precision, and classical balance at a very high level, driven by a 75% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc as a support. The wine shows beautifully layered red fruit, refined structure, and seamless integration, expressing terroir purity and composure from start to finish.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, red cherry, wild raspberry, cassis, graphite, cedar, pencil shavings, subtle tobacco leaf, gentle cocoa and crushed gravel.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with finely polished tannins, excellent mid-palate density, vibrant yet controlled acidity, elegant grip, and a long, harmonious finish that remains lifted and precise.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, rack of lamb, beef Wellington, mushroom-forward dishes, aged hard cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully executed Pauillac that balances power and finesse effortlessly. Everything feels aligned, fruit purity, structure, tension, and length, making this a top-tier reference for the appellation and vintage.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is Pauillac done right, deep fruit, flawless execution, and a finish that feels complete and satisfying rather than forced. A wine that earns admiration through balance and quiet authority. Hard to pass, even harder to forget. — 6 months ago

Lauren Goetz

9.0

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a lovely appellation-level wine. Crushed red berries, spice, floral top notes and a touch of blood orange give this tasty, ethereal Pinot a good bit of brightness and enough complexity to support fine drinking over the next few years. — 3 years ago

Michael Pritchett

9.3

Perfect for a fine steak dinner, or just sipping, this red is lightly tannic, but not overwhelming. It was delicious! — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

2017 did not really appeal to me. With 3 years of aging, the 2018 is remarkably well balanced. With the gourmet character of the appellation, and a certain depth that can be found more specifically in "plain" wines. Nice palsied on a Buratta pizza.

2017 ne m’avait pas vraiment séduit.. Avec 3 ans de garde le 2018 est d’un équilibre remarquable. Avec le caractère gourmand de l’appellation, et une certaine profondeur qu’on trouve plus spécifiquement sur les vins « nature ». Beau palsied sur un pizza Buratta. — 5 years ago

web bond

9.0

Benchmark for the appellation. — 6 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Lovely appellation showing. — 7 years ago

Tom Barras

9.2

I have enjoyed many vintages of the excellent single vineyard Reserva (Bucerchiale) from Selvapiana, but the fruity 2018 is one of the more satisfying ones. Perfumed red and black fruit aromatics soar from the stemware. It is Medium >full, balanced and well structured with crisp acidity and light tannins at the satisfying finish. This Sangiovese star from the Rufina appellation East of Florence, always punches well above its price point. If you’re unaware of it, time to check it out. (It continues to identify it as 2013, but please note it is 2018.)
— 9 months ago

Joe Cornwall

9.0

2018, Rich, fruity and with a really interesting finish. Kind of earthy, kind of funky. I like it — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2020 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a terrific appellation-level wine. Hints of pear, mint, lemon peel and white flowers all grace this expressive, sculpted Chardonnay from Brewer-Clifton. My only quibble is a slightly aggressive edginess that hopefully will soften over time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.1

Savoury palate of sour, tart, spicy cherry. Firm but fine tannin. Very autumnal and suits the season. — 5 years ago

with David and Sam

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Superb entry-level cuvée 13-14 €. The know-how is felt (silky mouth). A Morgon as we like: both light (Gamay grape) with roundness, and a certain aromatic intensity which makes the charm of this appellation producing gourmet wines. We will wait for more complexity and length of prestigious Desvignes cuvées (which cost double) this one is just immediate pleasure. To buy by case — 6 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

My first wine from Israel. The low ratings on delectable surprised me. Maybe people are too used to big bold Napa fruit bombs. This cab is constrained, almost medium bodied, austere, but delicious. This wine screams for food, sort of like a Nebbiolo. — 6 years ago

E & K G

9.2

Punching well above it region appellation! Citrus and white flower notes with a long balanced finish. — 7 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.3

Took awhile to open up but turned out to be a stunner. Nose of fresh violets with explosive Kirsch, dark raspberry and sandalwood flavors. Mouthfeel is tantalizing, smooth and well balanced. Racy acidity, fine tannins and long finish. Really exceptional for an appellation wine. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Sourced from the Saint Joseph and Grand Crus subzones of the appellation, which give fine, stony wines, from 80-year old vines. A high-lying sandy parcel gives more complexity, structure, and acidity to the wine. Medium Ruby with red fruit and floral spice aromas. On the palate flavors of red raspberry, cherry, banana and earthy mint. Vivid acidity, fine tannins, medium+ finish, ending with fruit and spice. Very good, bottle age will benefit! — 3 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.6

This is a find. Tiny appellation Saint-Pourçain smack in the middle of France, renowned in the Middle Ages but sort of forgotten today. 70% Chardonnay, 30% tressalier (Sacy). Honeysuckle nose, pear. Rich luxurious palate unfolds like velvet curtains all balanced out by coursing acidity & mineral notes. Judicious buttery oak notes play second fiddle supporting the fruit. Stone fruit. Wow. 😍 @Lyle Fass @Matthew Cohen — 4 years ago

with Alsu

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Fruit for this Pinot comes from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of this appellation, linked by the influence of the Pacific’s cool marine air, which delays ripening. Ruby with berry fruit, citrus and floral spice. On the palate, strawberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes and earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, long finish ending with tobacco and woody spice. Very nice, drink now & over next 5 years. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

medium reddish purple; black cherry, black tea, leather, vanilla, pine needles; cherry, rhubarb, a bit of spice, lightly tannic finish, good length; medium body, medium+ acidity, light fine grained tannin, 13.6% ABV; lovely, nicely balanced, appellation level California Pinot — 6 years ago

Alex Christian

9.3

Phenomenal Sonoma coast Pinot very light strawberry...love these styles. — 7 years ago

Joe Davant

8.9

Sweet, supple red fruits make this an easy drinking, enjoyable pinot. The fruit is complimented by deep earth tones. Nice for an appellation level wine. — 7 years ago