2022 Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse - Pauillac Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 94 pts – GH: *Ripe and filling, the blackcurrant and black cherry fruit is ripe and fleshy, a nice chewy sensation on the palate as well as cool blue fruit and chalky, minty, liquorice laced edges with fresh mint and crushed stones which give the minerality and the sense of gravel. I like the powerful undertone here, this has structure and backbone and a real drive as well as a sense of stateliness. Quiet, less overtly lively than some, more strict but also more serious in a good way. Tasted twice.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Gewürze, dunkle Waldbeeren, Pflaumen, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Stoffig, reife Zwetschken, integrierte Tannine, zarte Bitternuancen im Abgang, mineralisch-erdiger Touch, blättriger Nachhall, etwas adstringent.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 17/20 pts: *Von sehr kompakter Art, mit kantigem, aber nicht hartem Tannin, das Ganze gut ausbalanciert; erfreulich im Stil des Jahrgangs und des Weins.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 17/20pts – GL, TW: *Feingliedriges Bouquet, blaue Beeren, Lakritze und getrockneter Flieder. Am satten, sehnigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und stützender Rasse. Im konzentrierten Finale Heidelbeere, Kirschenhaut und sandige Adstringenz, aufgerundet.* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5++/20pts – JL: *58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Firm, steely but poised. Dark fruit with a graphite edge. Plentiful tannins. Big structure. Potential for ageing.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (92-94) pts – AG: *The 2022 Grand Puy Ducasse is bold, punchy and explosive. Dark-toned fruit, chocolate, licorice and espresso are some of the notes that build as the 2022 shows off its notable depth and structure. This imposing Pauillac needs time to come around, but it is full of potential.* - 05/2023

Vinous.com – (92-94) pts – NM: *The 2022 Grand Puy Ducasse has an airy nose, well-defined with potpourri, even lavender infusing the black fruit. Pencil box hints emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Tightly-coiled black fruit is laced with cracked black pepper and tobacco. The finish is tannic, but one can appreciate the focus and length on the aftertaste. Very fine.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (92-94) pts – JL: *Deep in color, the wine is equally dark in fruit. The palate is loaded with perfectly ripe, sweet, lush, blackberries, currants, herbs and spice. The finish, with its sweet and chewy crème de cassis character keeps on going. This should age for at least 2 decades with ease. Drink from 2025-2050.* - 05/2023