2020 CH GRAND PUY DUCASSE 5ÈME CRU PAUILLAC - 6x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Neal Martin, May 2021,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2020 Grand Puy Ducasse is a wonderful effort from this Pauillac that has always threatened to pulls its socks up. The nose is crisp and focused, featuring vivacious black fruit, cedar and light minty aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and very well-judged acidity, taut at first but fanning out in a sophisticated fashion that I have not noticed on a Grand Puy Ducasse before. This might well be the dark horse of Pauillac. Chapeau! Tasted three times with consistent notes. Drink 2026 - 2045

• 

  Wine Advocate, May 2021,
  Score: 87-89

  The 2020 Grand-Puy-Ducasse reveals a deep purple-black color and notes of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, espresso and black olives, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, graphite and wild sage, with a suggestion of Sichuan pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, taking a bit of a flavor-dip in the mid-palate, finishing a little short and firm. Drink 2024-2036

• 

  Antonio Galloni, June 2021,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2020 Grand Puy Ducasse is another fabulous wine from a château that has been on an impressive streak over the last few years. Red fruit, graphite, mint, dried herbs and blood orange. The interplay of richness and energy is compelling. Even as a very young barrel sample, the oak is so well integrated. The 2020 is a striking wine loaded with potential. The long, seamless finish is a thing of beauty. Tasted two times. I very much like the energy here. Drink 2030 - 2050

• 

  Goedhuis, May 2021,
  Score: 91-93

  Under the same management team as Ch Meyney in St Estèphe this has the polished house style and excellent attention to detail. An attractive gloss of sweet cherries, nutmeg and spice, the volume of fruit gives way to a well-managed tannic punch. Firm and yet sweet, with a lovely fleshy finish.

• 

  James Suckling, April 2021,
  Score: 94-95

  Beautiful richness and depth, offering plums, berries and redcurrants with some walnut and hazelnut undertones. It’s full-bodied and layered. Flavorful finish. One of the best ever.

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  Wine Cellar Insider, May 2021,
  Score: 92-94

  Dark in color with a nose that quickly displays its cedar, tobacco leaf, thyme, smoke and black currant character, the wine is full-bodied and fleshy with salty tannins and a finish loaded with savory creme de cassis and a touch of chocolate. The wine is rich, supple, long, fresh and delivers a serious depth of flavor and character. This is a top vintage for Grand Puy Ducasse that will age for 3 decades with ease.

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  Jancis Robinson, April 2021,
  Score: 16.5

  Fruity and fulsome on the nose with dark-fruit notes and a dash of (quality) oak. Round and generous on attack then drives on through the palate. At a stage of prise de bois so drying finish but the oak should integrate in time. Dense rather than complex. (JL) Drink 2027 – 2040

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  Jeb Dunnuck, May 2021,
  Score: 93-96

  The deep, inky-hued 2020 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse has a seriously impressive, balanced, full-bodied, structured style that's going to reward patience. Pure crème de cassis, black raspberry, graphite, lead pencil, and spring flower notes all define the bouquet, and it has plenty of background oak, a dense, chewy mid-palate, lots of tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need to be forgotten for 7-8 years but will evolve for 30 years or more.

• 

  Matthew Jukes, May 2021,
  Score: 16.5+

  Goodness me this is tannic and hard on the finish, but before I pull the plug on this note, it is worth mentioning that there is some pretty smart fruit here and while balance might be a pipe dream, there will be a coming together of constituent parts in due course (a decade from now, so don’t get your hopes up too soon) and this might well be a successful vintage for this estate.

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Producer

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse