| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This is a much improved property with a winery in the small town of Pauillac and a patchwork quilt of vines spread around the appellation. Under the same ownership as Meyney and probably the best value wine of Pauillac. There is now a new winery and a great deal of money and effort has been spent on improving the quality of GPD recently.
2023 was the first vintage in the new gravity fed cellar that has double the number of cuves so that each plot can be vinified separately. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot.
The 2023 Grand Puy Ducasse has one of the most impressive bouquets encountered from this estate in a number of years: blackberry, cedar and light floral notes, with a hint of pencil shavings in the background. This is Pauillac through and through, with newfound conviction. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, and a touch of dark chocolate and black pepper. There’s much more body and grip compared to previous vintages. Excellent. This may surpass their 2022.
Slightly stubborn initially on the nose, this reveals layers of plums and macerated cherries together with a meaty hit of wood spice on the nose. There is a light char to the palate, together with the same cherries and plums as the nose. Chalky and compact, the refinement at this estate means that these wines continue to improve in their balance and purity year on year.
Creamy and round tannins that are tight and polished, with a juicy character. Blackcurrant, chocolate and spice. Medium body. Chewy and polished.
The 2023 Grand-Puy Ducasse has a deep garnet-purple color. The nose opens with cedar and pencil lead notes, before giving way to a core of fresh blackberries, Bing cherries, and raspberries, plus an undercurrent of dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate delivers a good amount of savory-laced black berry flavors, with lightly chewy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing on a woody note.
Inky plum colour, loaded up with Left Bank cassis and inky black fruits, crayon and liqourice root, balanced and sappy, but not giving too much away at the same time. A sign that this is becoming an estate to watch in Pauiillac, got to be one of the values of the vintage. Benjamin Cassoulet is the technical director from 2021.
The 2023 Grand-Puy Ducasse is fabulous. In fact, the 2023 is one of the best recent vintages I have tasted here. A wine of grandeur and sweeping intensity, this Grand-Puy Ducasse is seriously impressive. Silky tannins enshroud a huge core of dark fruit. Hints of graphite, dried flowers, mint and spice appear later, adding shades of complexity. It's a magnificent effort by the team led by Technical Director Anne Le Naour. Tasted two times. 2030-2048
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Perfumed nose with dark fruit and a hint of spice. Tannins civilised but showing some Pauillac power. Adequate fruit. More precision than in the past. (JL) 13.5%
Drink 2030 – 2042
Exhibiting aromas of dark berries, cedary pencil shavings and oak vanillin, the 2023 Grand-Puy-Ducasse is medium-bodied, firm and chewy, with a somewhat herbal finish.
