Bordeaux 2014: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste & Château Haut-Batailley
There is excitement about the 2014 vintage at Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste and sibling Château Haut-Batailley. In the end the complex growing season really suited the Cabernet Sauvignon here in Pauillac and has resulted in wines of great freshness and personality, but also depth and substance. Clearly this is a vintage if not quite the equal of 2009 or 2010, then it is something not that far behind. The Borie family who own both properties have this year chosen to price accordingly. Still the wines represent good value for money versus their competitors and, for devotees of both properties, 2014 is extremely satisfying.
The harvest here was between September 25 and October 9, 2014. Château Grand-Put-Lascoste is classic Pauillac, epitomizing what can be achieved by a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend in this district. The wine has precision, subtly and length. Château Haut-Batailley is fascinating as its vineyards lie close to the border with St Julien to which its wines are slightly more akin. In 2014 it is balanced and harmonious. The Liv-Ex analysis on the releases of both wines can be found here.
The notes below were taken at Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste on Thursday 2, April, 2015.
Lacoste Borie, Pauillac, 2014
Mid depth; deep in the core; very ripe blackcurrant; fresh; vivacious; nice entry; some oak to resolve; little present on the palate; some cream; balance and freshness; vibrant; mineral; texture; attractive. [67% Cabernet Sauvignon 23% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% alc, 45% new oak.] Drink 2018-2025. 86-88+
Château Haut-Batailley, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2014
Deep; attractive; fresh looking; deep at centre; beautiful blackcurrant fruit; nice cool aromas; harmonious; beautiful aromatics; lovely purity; lovely glossy; blackcurrant flavours on the palate; fresh and acid; with length; acidity on the finish. Fresh. Attractive. Little oak to combine. Fresh. Nicely composed. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13.5% 60% new oak]. Drink 2020-2030. 89-91+
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2014
Deep and attractive looking; opaque at centre; legs: blackcurrant cassis; quite supple; cassis; freshness; some cherry; cool entry; blackcurrant fruit; nice precision and harmony; attractive fruit; nicely handled on the palate; nice fresh; blackcurrants; very nice purity overall; very harmonious Pauillac. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 13.5 alc, 75% new oak]. Drink 2020-2035. 91-93+
Tags: Bordeaux, Bordeaux 2014, Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Chateau Haut Batailley, François-Xavier Borie, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac