2022 Ch Grand-Puy Ducasse, Pauillac

I loved the 2022 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, another Pauillac that shines for its purity and length. Offering lots of red and black fruits, graphite, tobacco, and spicy oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, nicely integrated, ripe, fine-grained tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It shows the richer style of the vintage yet has a solid spine of freshness that keeps it light on its feet.

93-95+ points Jeb Dunnuck

Beautiful texture here. Tannins are dense and compact but finely polished and silky. Seamless and even with length and succulence. Medium- to full-bodied. Power with elegance. Endless for this. Finally the best ever.

96-97 points James Suckling

Château Grand Puy Ducasse has been a proud name in Pauillac since the eighteenth century, its vineyards assembled by Pierre Ducasse across some of the appellation's finest gravelly sites. Classified as a Fifth Growth in the famous 1855 Classification, the estate continues to produce Cabernet Sauvignon led wines that embody the power, refinement and longevity for which Pauillac is revered.

The vineyards stretch across a mosaic of deep gravel soils overlooking the Gironde Estuary, where Cabernet Sauvignon thrives alongside Merlot. The outstanding 2022 vintage delivered exceptional fruit concentration while retaining freshness and balance, resulting in a wine of impressive depth, precision and classic Left Bank structure.

The colour is a deep garnet with vibrant purple highlights. Aromas of cassis, blackberry and black cherry are intertwined with cedar, graphite, cigar box and crushed violets. The palate is powerful yet beautifully composed, carrying concentrated black fruits through polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Notes of dark chocolate, liquorice and mineral complexity build towards a long, seamless finish that reflects the pedigree of this historic Pauillac estate.

A magnificent partner for dry aged rib eye, roast lamb, venison loin or beef Wellington with truffle. While already impressive with a generous decant, this distinguished Pauillac will continue to reward careful cellaring for two decades or more.