Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2022

Noticeably more open and balanced than en primeur; clearly defined fruit, smoky, with herbal spice, black cherries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate; dense on the palate, with masses of tannin, very Pauillac in style; long, dark‑fruited finish. A wine I underestimated en primeur that has developed beautifully.

Dark and winey, with flashes of game and sweet bay peeking out from behind a dense core of mulled black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors. Dark licorice and warm earth notes wrap up the finish, while a smoldering cast iron edge lingers. Muscular and burly overall, but there's energy and depth for the requisite cellaring needed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2042. 9,000 cases made.

Bright and full, the tannins are on the imposing side and immediately fill the mouth with a mass of fleshy blackcurrant, liquorice, graphite, slate, tobacco and cinnamon — but more savoury than overly spiced, which I like. There are also shots of cool blueberries and mint that lift the frame. This feels controlled, definitely powerful but reined in too. It could use a bit more acidity and juiciness on the mid-palate, which makes this altogether quite serious, but fans of Pauillac will enjoy the power on show.

The blackcurrants and lead pencil come through clearly here with crushed-stone undertones that follow through to a full body with a solid core of fruit that is defined and polished. It’s velvety but then turns to refined silk with a lovely finish. Please give this at least four or five years to soften and open.

The 2022 Grand-Puy-Ducasse has a very commendable nose with intense black fruit, sous-bois and pencil-box scents, great delineation and a sense of classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but firm tannins, quite tannic for its class, but with ample freshness and plenty of length on the peppery finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

This has filled out and rounded during its aging. Now, you find a creamy-textured, cassis-packed wine with solid depth of flavor and a true Pauillac profile. The finish, with its sweet and salty cassis character, goes on and on. This should age for at least two decades or more with ease. Drink from 2028–2050.

Inky with a bright purple core and hue. Pure, floral notes of violet, cassis, dark plum, graphite, mild oak and tobacco. The palate is dense and vigorous with fine purity and layered complexity, grainy tannins, savoury and fresh dark-fruit flavours, finishing very long and muscular.

The 2022 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse is a gorgeous effort that might surpass the 2020 when all is said and done. Largely Cabernet Sauvignon (58%) yet with a solid dose of Merlot (40%) and a splash of Petit Verdot, this beauty exhibits a deep purple hue as well as powerful aromatics of blackcurrants, spicy oak, freshly sharpened lead pencils, and a chalky sense of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this broad, layered, beautifully textured, and concentrated Pauillac has building tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's not, however, for the instant gratification crowd and needs to be forgotten for 5-7 years, if not a decade. It should see its 30th birthday in fine form.

Grand Puy Ducasse is the kind of estate where 2022 really does knock things out of the park, rich in texture with impressively vivid layers of blackberry, cassis, bilberry, damson, cocoa bean, coupled with cigar box and cloves on the finish. Anne le Naour technical director, Hubert de Boüard consultant, 30% new oak for ageing.

A clear, contemplative nose that invites reflection. On the palate, great, controlled finesse with a fleshy, supple texture. Notes of black cherry, blackberry, and sandalwood.

The bottle I tasted was moderately aromatic, and the palate, while pleasant enough, lacked depth.

Refined bouquet of blue berries, licorice, and dried lilac. On the palate, generous and sinewy, with a creamy texture, a tight-knit tannic framework, and supportive verve. Concentrated finish with blueberry, cherry skin, and sandy astringency, rounded off.

94-96 Barrel sample. This estate, whose chateau is in the main street of Pauillac, has produced a finely textured wine with rich tannins and a powerful structure. Its black-currant flavors are a fine layer of fruit and acidity.

This up-and-coming property in Pauillac has produced a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot in this vintage. It opens with a nose which is dark, smoky and fresh, with notes of liquorice, mint, sage, toast and charcoal. The palate is fresh and harmonious in its composition, with a powdered structure, plenty of delicious dark fruits all currant and blackberry, with threads of black pepper, charcoal, toast and black bean, all set in a harmonious and seamless texture. Dark and tightly integrated, with a long finish finely grained with tannin, this feels true to the vintage, and is a very strong result for this property. A serious contender for the cellar these days. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.