Château Grand-Puy Ducasse Pauillac 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This wine is made from grapes grown on several plots spread throughout the appellation. One of them, located in the Grand Puy area, gave the wine its name and produces the most distinguished component of the blend, which has developed well under the guidance of the highly skilled Anne Le Naour. There is still room for improvement, which will be made possible by the imminent construction of a new fermentation tank, allowing for precise plot-by-plot selections and even more meticulous aging.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Dark and dense, the color makes a strong impression and hints at a serious, deep wine. On the nose, black fruits (blueberry, blackcurrant liqueur) mingle with roasted, spicy, and subtly minty notes. A palette as broad as it is intense, infusing a commanding, full-bodied, powerful, and very long palate, endowed with tight tannins. A (truly) great Pauillac for aging. 2028–2040

About the estate:

The estate, which was largely established in the 18th century by the lawyer Arnaud Ducasse, took on its current name in 1932. The château, which overlooks the Gironde River, dates back to 1820. This 40-hectare vineyard consists of three large plots of gravelly soil and has been owned by CA Grands Crus (part of the Crédit Agricole group) since 2004.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Like Meyney, Grand-Puy Ducasse is owned by a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole (CA Grands Crus). While we were somewhat disappointed by certain vintages from the early 2000s—which clearly fell short of the standard expected of a good cru classé—things are changing: the estate’s stated ambition is to produce a wine worthy of its status. Anne Le Naour, who manages the estate and oversees winemaking, is adding subtle touches of the refinement that the wine often lacked. Since 2015, progress has been steady.

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

About the wine:

Grand-Puy Ducasse 2020 is elegant, refined, and sophisticated, just as it was when tasted en primeur. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, and crushed rose petals are just a few of the many notes that unfold. Medium-bodied, with tremendous energy and great class, Grand-Puy Ducasse is very lovely and particularly refined in 2020. 2030–2050

James Suckling

About the wine:

A young, clear, and crystalline Pauillac with aromas of blackcurrant, mushroom, chocolate, and damp earth. Full-bodied, layered, and flavorful, with fine, velvety tannins. Lots of graphite and blue fruit on the finish. Best enjoyed after 2027.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

True to its understated style, the nose nonetheless hints at depth and a certain richness. The attack and palate are velvety smooth, with an incredible balance between fruity, earthy, and spicy notes. The elegant, well-structured tannins linger on the palate. An iron fist in a velvet glove—a great wine.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh and offers harmonious power, intensity, a fine texture, a subtle compactness, and complexity. It features notes of pulpy wild blackberry, fairly ripe wild strawberry, and, to a lesser extent, ripe black berries, combined with hints of violet, cherry/morello cherry, and nutmeg, as well as subtle hints of sweet spices, black tea, and toast. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, freshness, and tension, as well as richness (well-controlled), indulgence, and a lovely tannic structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, fleshy/juicy strawberry, and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of fresh/pulpy red berries, as well as hints of cardamom, graphite, dark chocolate, toasted/caramelized notes, and subtle hints of blond tobacco (in the background), a subtle hint of tea and toasted hazelnut. Good length. A lovely, distinguished wine. The nose is fresh and offers harmonious power, intensity, a fine texture, a subtle compact/discreetly tight quality, and complexity. It features notes of pulpy wild blackberry, fairly ripe wild strawberry, and, to a lesser extent, ripe black berries, combined with hints of violet, cherry/morello cherry, nutmeg, as well as subtle hints of sweet spices, black tea, and toasted notes. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, freshness, and tension, as well as richness (well-controlled), indulgence, and a lovely tannic structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, fleshy/juicy strawberry, and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of fresh/pulpy red berries, as well as hints of cardamom, graphite, dark chocolate, toasted/caramelized notes, and subtle hints of blond tobacco (in the background), a subtle hint of tea and toasted hazelnut. Good length. A lovely, refined, elegant, and indulgent wine.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An opulent, rich nose with a multi-layered character. Aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, and juicy blackcurrant, with black cherry and sloe in the background. Distinct notes of roasted coffee, mocha, and cold smoke, with a hint of graphite in the background. On the palate, the wine is well-structured, with excellent length and depth, ripe tannins, juicy fruit, and subtle spices. The finish is marked by roasted notes. An opulent yet elegant wine, with freshness and excellent length.