Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse 5eme Cru 2025

Colin Hay om: Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse 5eme Cru

(Pauillac; 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot; 13% ABV; tasted twice, the second time at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin). The steep upward progression here before and particularly after the opening of the new winemaking facility continues, as this wine confirms. This is a simply beautiful Pauillac, a wine of great charm and elegance with the aristocratic self-confidence that somehow the appellation exudes at its best. The combination of floral and cedary notes on the nose is divine, as is the way they both seem to weave themselves through and around the dark berry and stone fruits; there's a slight hint of oak smoke too, above all when retasted at the UGCB press tasting. This has lots of density and concentration for the vintage and, although élevage will be crucial, I have great confidence that we will look back on this vintage as a new reference for the estate.