Grand Puy Ducasse 2023

The 2023 Grand Puy Ducasse has one of the most impressive bouquets encountered from this estate in a number of years: blackberry, cedar and light floral notes, with a hint of pencil shavings in the background. This is Pauillac through and through, with newfound conviction. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, and a touch of dark chocolate and black pepper. There’s much more body and grip compared to previous vintages. Excellent. This may surpass their 2022.

Creamy and round tannins that are tight and polished, with a juicy character. Blackcurrant, chocolate and spice. Medium body. Chewy and polished.

The 2023 Grand-Puy Ducasse has a deep garnet-purple color. The nose opens with cedar and pencil lead notes, before giving way to a core of fresh blackberries, Bing cherries, and raspberries, plus an undercurrent of dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate delivers a good amount of savory-laced black berry flavors, with lightly chewy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing on a woody note.

Inky plum colour, loaded up with Left Bank cassis and inky black fruits, crayon and liqourice root, balanced and sappy, but not giving too much away at the same time. A sign that this is becoming an estate to watch in Pauiillac, got to be one of the values of the vintage. Benjamin Cassoulet is the technical director from 2021.