TN: 2000 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, Pauillac

[Pat_Martin]

I’m sitting on six of the 2000 GPL. I have done my best to keep my hands off all of my 2000 Bordeaux. Maybe time to start thinking about trying them?

No, unless you’re in a hurry. 5-10 more years will do wonders here.

[Marc_Frontario]

I don’t think it’s rustic at all, just crisp and structured rather than “big” and deep. But I think it’s elegant.

I had this two years ago and it was too young on the palate, although the nose was great. Glad it is coming around now.

The 1995 is the best GPL for current drinking for my taste. Really excellent. But the 2005, which is still way too young, might end up best of all

'95 is gorgeous, less masculine than some of the others, but in a very good way…yes, an elegant pauillac could be said.

[Robert_Sand]

I agree, the 2000 GPL is a fine wine, it was a good idea to buy a case EP.
Still 11 bts. left, I prefer to drink 1995 and older now.

[David_Glasser]

The 2000 Pichon Lalande and GPL aren’t shut down, but if you want that aged complex tertiary stuff I agree with Patrick. Wait.

[Julian_Marshall]

Great note, Robert. It’s been a while since I last tried one and it sounds as if a little more time is needed.

GPL still represents one of the best values in Left Bank reds. Oddly they seem to make solid wines in “epic” vintages and over-perform in cooler years.

Can’t really think of a vintage since 1996 that wasn’t enjoyable, maybe 1997 and 2003?

I couldn’t agree more, GPL is one of the most consistent châteaux around. I don’t know what went wrong in 2003, because they certainly got 2002 right.

It is rustic. But Robert likes rustic more than most… Hence my 93 Pts, instead of higher marks. Should you wish to see my note, use the link in the thread. The wine is not likely to soften, it is always going to have that character, but it will gain additional nuances with more time.

Well, that’s a first - GPL is rustic? I’m not knocking your take because wine appreciation is always subjective, but perhaps your definition of rustic is different?
For me, rustic is what some Languedoc-Roussillon or Madiran taste like, and in Bordeaux, in the past, Listracs: bold, unrefined, full-bodied and simple.
This is Dr.Vinny’s definition - what’s yours?

A “rustic” wine is one that can be described as hearty, earthy or rough-edged. The opposite of a rustic wine would be one that’s refined, elegant or smooth. “Rustic” is also a good way to describe tannins that have a chewy or coarse texture.

[Robert.A.Jr]

To me, GPL is neither rustic nor elegant. Nor would I call it polished, but instead in excellent years, the wine delivery is so pure. It is generally powerful, and to pardon what may no longer me an apropos term for wine descriptions, quite masculine. It is a text book Pauillac.

[Julian_Marshall]

Yes, I agree, it’s a classic Pauillac, perhaps a slightly more elegant version of Pichon Baron. Actually, if I was going to call a Grand Puy “rustic”, it would be GPD, at least most of the time.

[Markus_S]

“Blanquito”??

Is this the person-servant who makes your tacos?

[Marcu_Stanley]

It’s always weird to argue over the meaning of adjectives since they are so subjective. But I’m with Julian – “rustic” for me means a rough-edged wine. I suspect that people like Jeff rarely if ever drink less expensive wines so they may not even be able to relate to what I would classify as rustic wines. Obviously a wine like Pichon Lalande tends to be more complex, deeper, more layered and frequently just better than GPL but that doesn’t mean that GPL lacks elegance. GPL tends to be more linear and “simpler” than the very highest end Paulliacs (most of which are out of my price range these days TBH) but I agree with Robert that when GPL is on the fruit delivery is very pure, focused, and well structured in a way that to me makes it elegant.

[BobH]

I opened a 1994 last night. I liked it quite a bit but I was shocked at how tannic it was. Lots of leather and earth but not as much cedar and spice as I was expecting. I have 2 more bottles but will hold on at least 5 years before opening another. I’d call it 88 points if you want a score.

[Jeff_Leve]

It’s always weird to argue over the meaning of adjectives since they are so subjective. But I’m with Julian – “rustic” for me means a rough-edged wine. I suspect that people like Jeff rarely if ever drink less expensive wines so they may not even be able to relate to what I would classify as rustic wines. Obviously a wine like Pichon Lalande tends to be more complex, deeper, more layered and frequently just better than GPL but that doesn’t mean that GPL lacks elegance. GPL tends to be more linear and “simpler” than the very highest end Paulliacs (most of which are out of my price range these days TBH) but I agree with Robert that when GPL is on the fruit delivery is very pure, focused, and well structured in a way that to me makes it elegant.

So we are clear, I like GPL a lot, and buy it for my own cellar. It is a super wine with great character.

Back to the topic of rustic, rustic is a textural component of a wine. If you find GPL to be elegant, it is elegant for you. From Pauillac, I find Pichon Lalande and Lafite to be elegant. Those are the epitome of elegance in Pauillac. The tannins in GPL for me do not provide an elegant experience. And that’s OK, because GPL rocks!

[Howard_Cooper]

To me, GPL is neither rustic nor elegant. Nor would I call it polished, but instead in excellent years, the wine delivery is so pure. It is generally powerful, and to pardon what may no longer me an apropos term for wine descriptions, quite masculine. It is a text book Pauillac.

You can tell the poster who is the top notch lawyer. Very precise use of the English language and pretty spot on.

[Jeff_Leve]

To me, GPL is neither rustic nor elegant. Nor would I call it polished, but instead in excellent years, the wine delivery is so pure. It is generally powerful, and to pardon what may no longer me an apropos term for wine descriptions, quite masculine. It is a text book Pauillac.

You can tell the poster who is the top notch lawyer. Very precise use of the English language and pretty spot on.

I agree, which is why none of my questions were for him. Alfret seems to understand GPL perfectly. It is the rest of BDX he needs help with

[Howard_Cooper]

To me, GPL is neither rustic nor elegant. Nor would I call it polished, but instead in excellent years, the wine delivery is so pure. It is generally powerful, and to pardon what may no longer me an apropos term for wine descriptions, quite masculine. It is a text book Pauillac.

You can tell the poster who is the top notch lawyer. Very precise use of the English language and pretty spot on.

I agree, which is why none of my questions were for him. Alfret seems to understand GPL perfectly. It is the rest of BDX he needs help with

It would be fun to moderate a tasting between the two of you. But, forget this Bordeaux stuff. Let the tasting be of Chinon and other Loire reds.

[Robert.A.Jr]

Lol, my post had a damn typo! I should be flogged.

#countrylawyer

[Jonathan_Loesberg]

You can tell the poster who is the top notch lawyer. Very precise use of the English language and pretty spot on.

I agree, which is why none of my questions were for him. Alfret seems to understand GPL perfectly. It is the rest of BDX he needs help with

It would be fun to moderate a tasting between the two of you. But, forget this Bordeaux stuff. Let the tasting be of Chinon and other Loire reds.

Oh, I’d love to see that. It would probably be the best tasting since the one between Vincent Price and Peter Lorre in the Black Cat.

[Jay_Miller]

I don’t think it’s rustic at all, just crisp and structured rather than “big” and deep. But I think it’s elegant.

I had this two years ago and it was too young on the palate, although the nose was great. Glad it is coming around now.

The 1995 is the best GPL for current drinking for my taste. Really excellent. But the 2005, which is still way too young, might end up best of all

If GPL is elegant, how do you describe Pichon Lalande?

I must admit that while I like both GPL and Pichon Lalande, I don’t think of either (or any other Pauillac) as being really that elegant. Bordeaux, generally, to me is a more powerful and less elegant wine, but even within Bordeaux I think of some of the wines of Margaux and Pessac-Léognan as being the more elegant Bordeauxs.

Personally I would describe PL as polished rather than elegant. I actually prefer GPL which I think has more character.

[Greg_K]

If GPL is elegant, how do you describe Pichon Lalande?

I must admit that while I like both GPL and Pichon Lalande, I don’t think of either (or any other Pauillac) as being really that elegant. Bordeaux, generally, to me is a more powerful and less elegant wine, but even within Bordeaux I think of some of the wines of Margaux and Pessac-Léognan as being the more elegant Bordeauxs.

Personally I would describe PL as polished rather than elegant. I actually prefer GPL which I think has more character.

Jay, are you thinking of it in more recent years or older vintages? I’ve always loved older vintages of Pichon Lalande, though I admit I’ve been a bit less impressed post 2000. The 79 (my birth year wine) is a personal favorite.

[Jay_Miller]

I must admit that while I like both GPL and Pichon Lalande, I don’t think of either (or any other Pauillac) as being really that elegant. Bordeaux, generally, to me is a more powerful and less elegant wine, but even within Bordeaux I think of some of the wines of Margaux and Pessac-Léognan as being the more elegant Bordeauxs.

Personally I would describe PL as polished rather than elegant. I actually prefer GPL which I think has more character.

Jay, are you thinking of it in more recent years or older vintages? I’ve always loved older vintages of Pichon Lalande, though I admit I’ve been a bit less impressed post 2000. The 79 (my birth year wine) is a personal favorite.

Recent years, sorry I should have made that clearer. Though I’d place the change a bit earlier than 2000.

[Craig_G]

Personally I would describe PL as polished rather than elegant. I actually prefer GPL which I think has more character.

Let’s face it, we’re struggling to avoid saying “smooth.”