Sourced from the estate's most flavoursome selections, Lacoste-Borie 2021 showcases Pauillac classicism in a finely judged interpretation. The second wine of Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, a fifth Growth, it was crafted to deliver, earlier in its youth, the aromatic signature and the mouthfeel sought by lovers of characterful Bordeaux. The 2021 vintage favours fruit purity and balance, with measured extraction and careful ageing that respect the wine’s sap. You will find what one expects from a refined Pauillac: the uprightness of Cabernet Sauvignon, the suppleness of Merlot in the background, a fresh backbone, finely grained tannins and a persistent finish. At the table it proves versatile, pairing as well with a rib of beef as with a rack of lamb or roast poultry. For the enthusiast seeking an attractive introduction to Pauillac, or the collector looking for a serviceable bottle earlier than the grand vin, Lacoste-Borie 2021 stands out with the promise of sincere pleasure and exemplary composure.

Blend and winemaking

This Pauillac highlights a dominant Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. The grapes come from younger vines on the estate, selected for their frank fruit expression and natural balance. True to the estate’s style, the blend aims for precision rather than showmanship, with winemaking attentive to extracting the finest tannins and preserving freshness. Ageing is carried out with care comparable to that given to the grand vin, in French oak barrels where the proportion of new wood and the duration are adjusted to the vintage, details not disclosed here. The result is a skilfully rounded texture, a clear aromatic profile and oak that supports without dominating, to reveal the nobility of the fruit and the uprightness typical of Pauillac.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep, luminous ruby with purple highlights, indicating good concentration and lively youth. Clarity and brightness announce a precise, measured substance.
• Nose : A basket of dark fruit, blackcurrant and blackberry to the fore, backed by black cherry and a touch of blueberry. The bouquet gains complexity with aeration, revealing cedar, a hint of liquorice, a breath of graphite and subtle spicy nuances. The aromatic framework is expressed clearly, enhanced by a salivating freshness.
• Palate : Straight, precise attack, juicy mid-palate, finely grained tannins that structure without harshness. The length is driven by well-integrated acidity; the finish stretches on blackcurrant, a cedar note and discreet oak. A successful balance between energy, flesh and structure, delivering pleasure now and a calm evolution over the coming years.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve between 16 and 18°C in Bordeaux-style glasses to give the bouquet full breadth. Aerating for 30 to 60 minutes in a decanter gently refines the texture and highlights the precision of the fruit. Store bottles on their side, away from light, at a constant temperature and with appropriate humidity. Lacoste-Borie 2021 is ready to be enjoyed in its youth after aeration, while offering a cellaring window estimated at 5 to 10 years depending on your storage conditions and the desired evolution of the bouquet. This measured patience will allow the wine to further harmonise its tannic weave and gain tertiary complexity.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : thin slices of dried beef, duck rillettes, shavings of mature Parmesan. Savoury bites that respect the wine’s structure without overpowering it.
• Starters : a modern take on œuf en meurette, thin porcini tart, game bird terrine. The wine’s clear structure dialogues with the depth of these textures.
• Main courses : grilled rib steak, herb-roasted rack of lamb, roast duckling, pigeon with reduced jus. The tannin grain supports the meats with restraint, while freshness refreshes the palate.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Cantal (mid-aged), sheep's milk tomme, mature mimolette. Pressed, aged cheeses that underline the wine’s structure.
• Desserts : if you enjoy intense pairings, favour low-sugar desserts, black fruit tart or dark chocolate entremets, served sparingly.

Occasions

The Lacoste-Borie 2021 is the ideal companion:

• For a connoisseurs’ dinner seeking the uprightness of an accessible, precise Pauillac.
• At a Sunday roast centred around roasted meat, when conviviality meets attention to detail.
• As a choice gift for a Bordeaux lover, balancing discovery and the signature of a great terroir.

Characteristics

• Name : Lacoste-Borie 2021
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Type : Red wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2021
• Grapes : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
• Alcohol : Not disclosed
• Ageing : Carefully aged in barrels and vats, duration not disclosed
• Volume : Not disclosed
• Cellaring : 5 to 10 years depending on storage
• Serving temperature : 16–18°C