I was going to San Francisco to visit my sister over the weekend and wanted to share a wine with her. It was a 1989 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste which holds a special meaning for her. Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste in Pauillac is one of the eighteen “fifth growths” from the 1855 Bordeaux classification. Grand-Puy is the name of the hill the vineyards are situated on. Also on this same hill is Grand-Puy-Ducasse, hence the similar names. The Pauillac area is also home to three of the five “first growth” wines, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Mouton Rothschild, so you can see there is some good ground there.
I had purchased this wine several years ago from the original importer. At the time he indicated it was ready to drink so I was hoping for the best. I just have to say “What an Outstanding Wine!” it was. The color was a bricky lighter red as expected from a wine this old. The nose was so delicate with fruit and leather. The wine had a very light body with good acidity and moderate smooth tannins. The flavor was very elegant with fruit, leather, tobacco and more along with a very nice long finish. This wine is certainly one of the best I have ever had.
