2015 Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 1x750ml

Vinous 92

The 2015 Grand Puy Ducasse has a forward, rich bouquet that lacks the precision of the top wines from the appellation. This is quite earthy in style, hints of clove developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, and overtly masculine and broody. The very structured, graphite-tinged finish is, frankly, no fun at the moment. Give it 10 years, though, and I think this could evolve into a classic Pauillac for those who love traditional claret. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. [Neal Martin, 09/07/2019]

Robert Parker 91

The 2015 Grand-Puy-Ducasse is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, matured in around 40% new oak, bottled in June 2017. It has a lighter bouquet than its peers, but is clean and pure and shows none of the greenness that afflicted older vintages of this estate. It has a floral tincturea hints of rose petal and peony complementing the redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit. Maybe I would just prefer a little more presence at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip in the mouth, quite structured with well-judged acidity, a nice spicy vein toward the finish of this composed and quite graceful Pauillac. This is one of the best vintages that I have encountered in recent years. [Neal Martin, 09/01/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2038