Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1988

The 1988 effort from this estate is deep ruby, has a reticent bouquet, an austere, firm, tannic framework, and medium body. The wine has noticeable richness and depth, as well as high tannins. Anticipated maturity: 1995-2005.

Always beautiful, this full-bodied '88 shows terrific fruit character and racy, silky tannins that are wonderfully knit together. Thoroughly satisfying.--1988 Bordeaux horizontal.

The 1988 Grand Puy Lacoste has a leafy bouquet, quite rustic in style, certainly what you might describe as “old school” Bordeaux. It reminds me of going up into an attic, but it is utterly charming. The palate is medium-bodied and certainly rather green on the entry. It is surprisingly soft but unlike say the 1990, it does not provide the fruit and substance to back it up. The nose is actually better than the palate but frankly bottles should be consumed in the near future. Tasted at the château.

89: Barrel sample (15/20): On the nose, the typical Borie old-barrel note. Lots of tannin, hints of metal and slightly bitter astringency. A tough wine, still hard to assess. 96 (16/20): Open, terroir-driven nose. Rather light-bodied on the palate, juicy, with a melt-in texture, ripe tannins, still gaining. 03: Has now developed into a slender yet thoroughly aromatic classic; it improves with air, so decant for about 30 minutes. (17/20). 17: Medium ruby with brick-red highlights. Delicate cedar aromas mixed with nuances of Dominican tobacco, grey peppercorns; layered, with an elegant attack. On the palate, very refined, balanced, delicately flowing—wonderful to enjoy. Not as underripe on the Cabernet side as many other 1988s. As a lighter-bodied Bordeaux, it’s still great fun today. (17/20).

Spicy, mineral, finely green bouquet; Cabernet spice, delicate bell pepper, cold smoke, fine woods. Classic, rustic palate with a bourgeois structure, good tannins, a rather austere aromatic profile, and a fresh finish. 17/20 drink until 2030

Dark colour, medium intensity and showing some evolution. Restrained, creamy nose. Smooth, flavoursome palate, developing from a medium-bodied structure into a liquorice finish. Tannins a touch firm on the aftertaste. Medium length.