Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2009

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a wine estate situated on a hillock (or puy) above the village of Bages in the Pauillac region of the Médoc. Classified as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant grand vin is known for its velvety texture and cigar box and cassis aromas. A second wine, Lacoste-Borie, is made from lots declassified from the grand vin and tends to have a higher proportion of Merlot.

The vineyard is sited around the château and covers 55 hectares (136 acres) of the wider estate. It is planted 75 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Merlot and 5 percent Cabernet Franc. The soil is a classic Médoc mix of layers of gravel of differing depths, mixed with sand and a little clay. This allows excellent drainage and moderates day-night fluctuations in temperature to help ripen the crop. Pauillac’s proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates weather extremes and helps to guard against frost.