# Château Grand-Puy Ducasse (2019)

- **Producer:** Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, violet, herbaceous, mint, black pepper, vanilla, cedar, toast, smoke, cloves, tobacco, forest floor, leather, mushroom

## About this wine

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse is a historic estate located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Imperial Classification. The estate was founded in the 18th century by Arnaud Ducasse, who purchased a small house on the banks of the Gironde. Over generations, the estate was expanded by his descendants, notably Pierre Ducasse, who assembled a significant vineyard footprint across several key Pauillac terroirs. Today, the estate is owned by CA Grands Crus (a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole) and has undergone extensive modernization, including a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery. The vineyards span three main plots characterized by Garonne gravels, which provide excellent drainage and heat retention, ideal for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

## Interesting facts

- The estate was founded in the 18th century by Arnaud Ducasse, but it was his son Pierre who truly built its reputation as a top Pauillac growth.
- Unlike many Bordeaux estates with contiguous vineyards, Grand-Puy Ducasse's plots are spread across three distinct, highly prized Pauillac sectors.
- The winery underwent a massive 'Renaissance' renovation completed in 2024, introducing cutting-edge gravity-flow technology.

## Food pairing

This classic Pauillac Cabernet-Merlot blend demands rich, protein-heavy dishes. The high tannin level of the wine binds beautifully with the proteins and fats in red meats, softening the wine's structure on the palate. Meanwhile, the wine's vibrant acidity cuts through rich sauces, and its intense dark fruit and oak-derived spice notes complement earthy elements like mushrooms, truffles, and rosemary.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested manually and sorted meticulously both in the vineyard and at the winery. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with plot-by-plot fermentation to preserve the unique characteristics of each parcel. The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels, of which approximately 30% to 40% are new, depending on the vintage. This careful oak regime helps to integrate the structured tannins of Pauillac while adding complexity and refinement without overpowering the fruit.