Château Grand-Puy Ducasse Pauillac 2022 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vintage comes from several plots spread across the entire appellation. One, located in Grand Puy, gave it its name and produces the most distinguished part of the blend, which has progressed well under the guidance of the highly competent Anne Le Naour. There is still room for improvement, which will be made possible by the imminent construction of a new vat room, allowing for precise plot selection and even more careful aging.

Decanter

About wine:

Lively and full-bodied, the tannins are imposing and immediately fill the mouth with a fleshy mass of blackcurrant, licorice, graphite, slate, tobacco, and cinnamon. It is slightly more flavorful than overly spicy, which I appreciate. There are also fresh notes of blueberries and mint that enhance the whole. A controlled wine, undoubtedly powerful and well-balanced. It could benefit from a little more acidity and juiciness in the mid-palate, which would make it more accessible, but Pauillac enthusiasts will appreciate its obvious power. 2027-2049

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

A pinch (2%) of Petit Verdot complements the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in this well-aged 2022 (18 months in barrels), which opens with black fruit and toasted hazelnut aromas. Fine, firm tannins bring tension to a creamy palate with good density, stretching out to pepper on the finish. A medium-bodied wine with a lovely classicism that can be opened without too much waiting. 2027-2035

About the estate:

Built mainly in the 18th century by lawyer Arnaud Ducasse, the property took its current name in 1932. The château overlooking the Gironde dates back to 1820. Three large gravel plots make up this 40-hectare vineyard, owned by CA Grands Crus (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 belongs to a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole (CA Grands Crus). Although we were somewhat disappointed by certain vintages from the early 2000s, which were clearly below the standard of a good cru classé, things are changing: the estate has set itself the ambitious goal of producing a wine worthy of its rank. Anne Le Naour, who manages the estate and supervises the winemaking, is gradually introducing the refinement that was often lacking in the wine. Since 2015, progress has been steady.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Barrel sample. This estate, whose château is located on the main street of Pauillac, has produced a wine with a fine texture, rich tannins, and a powerful structure. Its blackcurrant aromas add a lovely fruity and tangy touch. — Roger Voss

James Suckling

About wine:

Notes of blackcurrant and pencil lead come through clearly here, with hints of crushed stone that linger in a full-bodied wine with a solid, defined, and refined fruity core. Velvety, it then transforms into a refined silkiness with a beautiful finish. Please allow it at least 4 or 5 years to open up and blossom.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2022 is a magnificent wine that could well surpass the 2020 vintage. Composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), but with a good dose of Merlot (40%) and a touch of Petit Verdot, this magnificent wine has a deep purple color and powerful aromas of blackcurrant, spicy oak, freshly sharpened pencils, and chalky minerality. Medium-bodied to full-bodied on the palate, this ample, complex, beautifully textured and concentrated Pauillac has powerful tannins, good depth in the mid-palate and an excellent finish. However, it is not for those seeking instant gratification and should be forgotten for 5 to 7 years, or even a decade. It should reach its peak on its 30th anniversary. 2032-2062

Terre de Vins

About wine:

A construction built to stand the test of time! Deep, luminous garnet, the tannic architecture underpins a fine velvety texture, the palette offers black fruit, sweet spices including cinnamon, heated stone, and lime blossom. Sufficient freshness to contain the power of the vintage.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Grand-Puy Ducasse displays depth and definition through a multitude of nuances, combining notes of graphite, black berries, licorice, and a touch of oak. The finesse suggested by the bouquet is perfectly assimilated by the palate, where the wine is carried by smooth, powerful tannins. It clearly shows that it will need time to blossom and that it has all the elements necessary for long-term aging. Certainly one of the best Grand-Puy Ducasses in a long time. 2028-2047