2022 Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse Pauillac

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, a historic Fifth Growth estate, has roots dating back to the 17th century. Located in the heart of Pauillac, the château is one of the most recognizable in the region, producing wines that emphasize powerand refinement. The estate has undergone significant modernization, improving its vineyard management and winemaking techniques while maintaining its classic Bordeaux identity.

Situated on some of the best gravel soils in Pauillac, the vineyards of Grand-Puy Ducasse span40 hectares and are planted primarily toCabernet Sauvignonand Merlot. The gravel composition enhances drainage and promotes deep root growth, essential for producing concentrated, age-worthy wines.

The 2022 vintage sawmeticulous vineyard selection, with grapes harvested at optimal ripeness to maintain balance and structure. Fermentation took place intemperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging inFrench oak barrels to enhance complexity and texture. The vintage was marked bywarm, dry conditions, leading to small, concentrated berries with exceptional depth of flavor. Despite the heat,cool nights helped preserve freshness and acidity, resulting in a wine with both powerand elegance.

Aging: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, with a mix of 70% new oak and 30% once-used barrels

Deep ruby core with a vibrant purple rim. Aromas of blackberries, cassis, graphite, and hints of tobacco and spicy oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a dense core of ripe black fruits, structured tannins, and an elegant balance of richness and freshness. Long, structured, and fresh, with a refined mineral edge. Drink 2025-2050 for optimal enjoyment.

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 JS

Finely textured wine with rich tannins and a powerful structure. Its black-currant flavors are a fine layer of fruit and acidity." ~94-96Wine Enthusiast

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+ JD

Ripe and filling, the blackcurrant and black cherry fruit are ripe and fleshy, with a nice chewy sensation on the palate as well as cool blue fruit and chalky, minty, liquorice laced edges with fresh mint and crushed stones which give the minerality and the sense of gravel. I like the powerful undertone here, this has structure and backbone and a real drive as well as a sense of stateliness. Quiet, less overtly lively than some, more strict but also more serious in a good way. Tasted twice. ~94 Decanter

Deep in color, the wine is equally dark in fruit. The palate is loaded with perfectly ripe, sweet, lush blackberries, currants, herbs and spice. The finish, with its sweet and chewy crème de cassis character keeps on going. This should age for at least 2 decades with ease. Drink from 2025-2050." ~93 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider