A fine prelude to the château's grand vin, this classic Pauillac displays a lovely aromatic complexity, typical of the appellation's finest opuses. The palate reveals all the delicacy, aromas and harmony of a great bottle, with no need to wait. An immediate pleasure!
Features
Estate
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
Cuvée
Prélude à Grand Puy Ducasse
Vintage
2012
Designation
Pauillac
Region
Bordeaux
Grape varieties
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Terroirs
of gravel typical of Pauillac, gravelly silica for the Cabernet Sauvignon and more clayey gravel for the Merlot.
Viticulture
parcel-based soil and vineyard management. Integrated pest management (certified) and respect for environmental balance
Harvest
manual
Winemaking
classic in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
Breeding
16 to 18 months in barrels (10 to 15% new wood each year)
Tasting & pairing
Eye
beautiful, clear, brilliant crimson colour
Nose
sweet spices: cardamom, nutmeg and a hint of liquorice on the first nose reveal a delicate wine with a light woodiness after swirling.
Mouth
liquorice over a taste framework of ripe red fruits
Serve
at 16-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2015
Drink before
2025
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with game, red meat or a cheese platter...
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
Pauillac
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (guide 2022) 3*Stars (High-quality production that can serve as a benchmark in its sector)
About the domain :
This cru is made from several parcels spread throughout the appellation. One, in the Grand Puy area, gives it its name and produces the most racy part of the blend, which has progressed well under the guidance of the highly competent Anne Le Naour. There are still a few avenues for improvement, which will be made possible by the imminent construction of a new vat room, enabling precise parcel selections and even more meticulous ageing.
Guide Hachette des vins
Domaine noté (guide 2022) Award-winning wines (The wines of this producer are regularly awarded by the guide)
About the domain :
Essentially created in the 18th century by the lawyer Arnaud Ducasse, the estate took its present name in 1932. The château overlooking the Gironde dates back to 1820. Three large parcels of gravel make up this 40-hectare cru, owned by CA Grands Crus (Crédit Agricole Group) since 2004.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Domaine noté (guide 2019) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the domain :
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Domaine noté (guide 2022) Sélectionné (We remind you that this guide is a prize list and as such, all the estates that appear in it, even without a star, represent, in our eyes, the excellence of French production).
About the domain :
Like Meyney, Grand-Puy Ducasse is owned by a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole (CA Grands Crus). If we were a little disappointed by certain vintages in the early 2000s, clearly below the level of a good cru classé, things are changing: the estate's stated ambition is to produce a wine worthy of its rank. Anne Le Naour, who manages the vineyard and supervises vinification, is gradually bringing the refinement that was often lacking to the estate. Since 2015, progress has been steady.
Wine Enthusiast
Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
James Suckling
Graded area (2021 guide) Recommended
Customer reviews
Customer rating
3.5/5
out of 4 reviews
Note and review by M. PIERRE L. Published on 14/12/2015
I can't wait to taste it and tell you more about it.
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Note and review by M. PHILIPPE A. Published on 20/06/2018
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Note and review by M. MICHEL M. Published on 30/05/2018
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Note and review by M. PHILIPPE P. Published on 07/10/2015
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