Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2023

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse sits in the AOC Pauillac on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, a classified growth bought in the 18th century by Arnaud Ducasse. Pauillac is built on thick beds of gravel over clay and limestone, close to the Gironde, whose mass tempers the climate and reduces frost. The deep gravel drains freely, warms quickly and stores heat, ripening Cabernet Sauvignon fully and giving Pauillac its power and firm tannin, while the cool clay subsoil keeps the fruit fresh. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend, with Merlot for flesh and Petit Verdot for colour and lift. The 2023 ages 18 months in oak barrels, where oxygen exchange through the wood rounds the tannins, stabilises colour and adds cedar, graphite and spice. The wine is deep red, with a nose of ripe cherry, raspberry and redcurrant over tobacco, pencil lead and dried earth. The palate is full and structured, with the firm, savoury tannins typical of Pauillac and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead, or cellar to soften. It suits roast beef, lamb and game.