Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse 2020, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

t all began when Arnaud Ducasse acquired a “modest” house on the banks of the river in Pauillac in 1675; Little did he know that it would become a large estate that would remain in the hands of his family for nearly three centuries. Pierre Ducasse, a lawyer with a passion for wine, considerably extended the land to three parishes – Pauillac, Saint-Lambert and Saint-Sauveur – as well as to three seigneuries: Lafite, Latour and Beychevelle. In 1820, his son built the Château’s technical installations facing the Gironde Estuary. A bold decision at the time that made Grand-Puy Ducasse the only Château to vinify its wines in the heart of the town of Pauillac for 200 years. In 1855, the estate was included in the prestigious classification of Grands Crus Classés and with its 40 hectares spread over 11 types of soil, it can be considered the vineyard most representative of the diversity of Pauillac’s terroirs. The vineyard of Château GRAND PUY DUCASSE is planted on a perfectly drained siliceous gravel terroir, ideal conditions for the ripening of the grapes. The blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and completed by 10% to 20% Petit Verdot depending on the vintage, from vines in massal selection. These very old vines, planted in the 50s, give the wine a very deep black colour, spicy notes and a racy style. The château’s teams watch over this rare and historic genetic heritage of the property.