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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vintage is made from several plots spread throughout the appellation. One of these, located in the Grand Puy area, gave the wine its name and produces the most refined component of the blend, which has matured 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. This broad and intense palette gives rise to a commanding, full-bodied, powerful, and very long finish, marked by firm tannins. A (very) great Pauillac with excellent aging potential. 2028–2040

About the estate:

Built primarily in the 18th century by attorney Arnaud Ducasse, the estate took on its current name in 1932. The château, which overlooks the Gironde River, dates back to 1820. Three large plots of gravelly soil make up this 40-hectare vineyard, which 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 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, bit by bit, 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 released as a primeur. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, and crushed rose petals are just a few of the many aromas 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 transparent Pauillac with aromas of blackcurrant, mushrooms, chocolate, and damp earth. Full-bodied, layered, and flavorful, with fine, velvety tannins. Plenty of graphite and blueberries on the finish. Best enjoyed after 2027.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

True to its understated character, 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 aromas. Grand, slender tannins captivate the palate on the finish. 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/subtle tightness, and complexity. It features notes of pulpy wild blackberry, fairly ripe wild strawberry, and, to a lesser extent, ripe dark berries, combined with hints of violet, cherry/morello cherry, and nutmeg, as well as subtle hints of sweet spices, black tea, and toasty notes. On the palate, it 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 blackberries, fleshy, juicy strawberries, and, more subtly, violets, combined with hints of fresh, pulpy red berries as well as hints of cardamom, graphite, dark chocolate, toasty and caramelized notes, and discreet 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 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, nutmeg, as well as subtle hints of sweet spices, black tea, and toasted notes. On the palate, it is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, freshness, and tension, as well as richness (well-controlled), indulgent flavor, and a lovely tannic structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, juicy blackberries, fleshy, juicy strawberries, and, more subtly, violets, combined with hints of fresh, pulpy red berries, as well as hints of cardamom, graphite, dark chocolate, toasty and 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 and rich nose with a multi-layered character. Aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, and juicy blackcurrant, with black cherry and sloe in the background. Distinct aromas of roasted notes, 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.