2008 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, Bordeaux

Particularly horsey aroma, which suggests brett influence. This will be divisive according to your preferences, but I think the flavours work quite well in context – it isn't all animal, and there is lots of fruit on offer too. Drink 2016 - 2034jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (February 2018)

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.Medium-deep red. Inviting, deep aromas of blackcurrant and ripe plum, with a hint of liquorice. Very appealing sweet black and red fruit flavours on the palate; shows a stiffer tannic spine than Haut Batailley from the same owner, but the tannins are also smoother and riper. Finishes pleasantly long, with an obvious cinnamon touch and very good balance. Another wine that may have been more successful in '08 than in either '06 or '07.Ian D'Agata, Vinous.com.com (May 2009)

A beautiful, classic wine, the 2008 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has an old-school nose of currants, saddle leather, ground herbs, cherries, hints of dried flowers and just a touch of cedar. It's ripe, medium-bodied, lightly textured, and has true Pauillac character. Drink it over the coming decade or more.Drink 2019 - 2029jeb_dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (February 2019)

Full red-ruby. Brooding aromas of medicinal blackcurrant, plum, menthol, spices and cocoa powder. Lush and fine-grained but youthfully closed, offering moderate sweetness today but noteworthy breadth for the vintage. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and very good length.Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com.com (July 2011)

The 2008 Grand Puy Lacoste has a very expressive bouquet with blackberry, cedar and graphite notes, quintessentially Pauillac, building in intensity all the time in the glass but remaining "correct". The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin on the entry, more red fruit here than black, and good density with a fine bead of acidity. This all leads to a cohesive finish that might be more forward than I expected or would have liked. It is a fine GPL albeit one that feels conservative and does not reach for the stars like other vintages under Xavier Borie.Drink 2019 - 2033Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (February 2018)

Dense red, fine concentration of berry fruits on the nose and palate, purity and length, still rather reserved.

Unsmoked cigar tobacco intermixed with plums, red and black currants presented in an evolved style characterize this dark plum/garnet-colored effort. Medium-bodied, delicious and evolved, it is best consumed over the next 10-12 years. robert_parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011 Not a blockbuster such as the 2005 or 2000, the 2008 Grand Puy Lacoste is an elegant, deep ruby/purple-tinged, pretty Pauillac offering plenty of red and black currant fruit interwoven with touches of spice box and tobacco leaf characteristics. Fresh acidity, medium body, and a pleasant, long finish with excellent depth as well as ripeness suggest it will be a delicate, finesse styled offering to enjoy over the next 10-15 years. robert_parker- Wine Advocate - Apr 09

You start to feel the dial turning up the power as this travels through the palate. Even at 10 years old, the tannins go in deep around the fruit, with luscious menthol notes on the finish. This is one of the juiciest of the Pauillacs, with layers of plum fruits, tobacco and melted tannins. It's totally firing on all cylinders, although not a blockbuster, reflective of this vintage. But that means you can drink this now, or you can wait; either way you can enjoy what is going on here.Drink 2018 - 2034jane_anson_mw, Decanter.com (January 2018)