2022 Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse En Primeur
Following yesterday's excellent release of Ormes de Pez (93-95 points), we can now offer another huge over-achiever in the form of 5th growth Pauillac, 2022 Grand-Puy-Ducasse. Whilst this divides the critics' opinions, with mere solid scores from William Kelley and Jane Anson, it gets a resounding 'best ever' and 96-97 points from James Suckling, for him putting it above near-namesake Grand Puy Lacoste!
We found Pauillac was one of the most complex communes to taste and assess this year, with its different terroirs producing wines with many distinct styles. We tasted many great 2022s, all with dark fruit, concentration and a powerful structure, but for some it was hard to gauge the absolute quality level, the difference of a point or two at the very top of the scale. Possibly some of these wines will only reveal themselves fully with time.
Grand-Puy-Ducasse has long made reliable and very likable wines, but the quality level seen at estates like Lynch-Bages and Pontet-Canet has eluded it, hence Suckling's ejaculation of "Finally"! At £378 per dozen (potentially, a third of the price of Lynch and Pontet-Canet) this has to be one of the 'must buys' of the vintage.
Offered en primeur, landing spring 2025.
Magnums available with £15 ex-VAT bottling surcharge, please enquire for other formats.
Bordeaux En Primeur, Landing in spring 2025.
Limited availability. To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse is a Cinquième Cru Classé in Pauillac. The estate came into being when Arnaud Ducasse bought the land in the mid-17th century. It remained in the same family hands until the purchase to Credit Agricoles Grands Cru, who also own Meyney, Blaignan and Rayne Vigneau in Sauternes.
The vineyard's 40 hectares are divided between three main plots which lie on sandy Garonne gravel within the Pauillac appellation. The vines border Mouton, Lafite and Pontet-Canet to the North. The average vine age is 25 years. 62% of the vines are Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot. Average yields are 40 hectolitres per hectare.
