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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vintage comes from several vineyards 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 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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Lively and full-bodied, the tannins are imposing and immediately fill the mouth with a rich, fleshy blend of blackcurrant, licorice, graphite, slate, tobacco, and cinnamon. It’s slightly more flavorful than overly spicy, which I appreciate. There are also fresh notes of blueberries and mint that enhance the overall profile. A well-crafted wine, undeniably powerful and well-balanced. It could benefit from a bit more acidity and juiciness on the mid-palate, which would make it more approachable, but Pauillac enthusiasts will appreciate its bold power. 2027–2049

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A pinch (2%) of Petit Verdot complements the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in this well-raised 2022 (18 months in barrels), which opens with notes of black fruit and toasted hazelnut. Fine, firm tannins lend structure to a creamy palate with good density, lingering on peppery notes in the finish. A medium-bodied wine with a lovely classic style that can be enjoyed relatively soon. 2027–2035

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 were clearly below 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 gradually adding the refinement that the wine often lacked. Since 2015, progress has been steady.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

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

James Suckling

About the wine:

Notes of blackcurrant and pencil lead come through clearly here, with hints of crushed stone that carry through into a full-bodied wine, featuring a robust, well-defined, and refined fruity core. Velvety at first, it then transforms into a refined, silky texture with a beautiful finish. Please allow it at least 4 or 5 years to open up and reach its full potential.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

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

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

A wine built to stand the test of time! Deep and luminous garnet in color, its tannic structure provides a framework for a velvety texture, while the flavor profile offers dark fruit, sweet spices—including cinnamon—warmed stone, and linden blossom. It has just enough freshness to balance the vintage’s power.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Grand-Puy Ducasse displays depth and definition through a multitude of nuances, combining notes of graphite, black berries, and licorice with a hint of oak. The finesse suggested by the bouquet is perfectly reflected on the palate, where the wine is carried by smooth yet powerful tannins. It clearly indicates that it will need time to fully develop and that it possesses all the necessary elements for long-term aging. Undoubtedly one of the best Grand-Puy Ducasse wines in quite some time. 2028–2047