Château Lacoste-Borie Pauillac 2016

This is a quintessential Pauillac that punches well above its weight class. As the second label of the esteemed Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, the 2016 Lacoste-Borie benefits from the same meticulous vineyard management and winemaking expertise as its big brother, but offers a more accessible entry point into one of the Médoc’s most legendary terroirs.

In the glass, the 2016 vintage—widely considered a benchmark year for the Left Bank—shows a deep ruby core. The nose is classically Bordeaux, revealing an aromatic profile of ripe crème de cassis, graphite, and cedar chest, punctuated by a hint of dried tobacco leaf.

On the palate, it is structured yet remarkably supple. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon provides that signature Pauillac backbone, while the Merlot lends a fleshy, plum-like roundness to the mid-palate. Fine-grained tannins and a vibrant streak of acidity suggest this wine has plenty of life ahead of it, though it is drinking beautifully right now after a short decant.

This is a textbook example of balance and elegance. It’s the kind of bottle we love to recommend for a Sunday roast or an aged ribeye, proving that you don’t need to wait decades to enjoy the sophisticated, mineral-driven charm of world-class Pauillac.