94pts Wine Enthusiast

This generous, ripe wine is filled with fine tannins as well as juicy black-currant fruits. It is approachable in the sense that the fruit is so delicious. However, watch for those tannins that are firm and dense and will allow the wine to age. Best to wait until 2024.

92pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2015 Grand-Puy-Ducasse has a classic pencil lead and cedar-scented bouquet that feels just a little foursquare at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a dash of spice on the entry. This is underpinned by quite robust tannin, but fortunately this Pauillac forages finesse towards the finish that is well balanced and offers attractive persistence. While not as showy out of barrel, I suspect it may coalesce and turn into one of the better wines from this estate in recent years. My banded score based upon that optimism.
Barrel Sample: 90-92

92pts James Suckling

Big, black and bold, this is a serious Pauillac with the typical acidity of 2015. With a bit more charm and bright fruit, this would rate more highly.

92pts Vinous

The 2015 Grand Puy Ducasse has a forward, rich bouquet that lacks the precision of the top wines from the appellation. This is quite earthy in style, hints of clove developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, and overtly masculine and broody. The very structured, graphite-tinged finish is, frankly, no fun at the moment. Give it 10 years, though, and I think this could evolve into a classic Pauillac for those who love traditional claret. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. -Neal Martin

91pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse is certainly impressive, and while it’s not a massive wine (possible from the harvest rains), it shines for its elegance, purity, and nuance. Its deep ruby/purple tinged color is followed by a perfumed bouquet of currants, cherries, white flowers and truffle. With medium-bodied richness, fine tannin, and beautiful balance, it should keep for 15+ years.

90pts Decanter

The extraction here is perhaps just a little too controlled, as the power, intensity and tannins layer up and almost cause a roadblock. But the knots work out by the mid-palate to reveal a lovely Pauillac that needs time. 40% new oak. Hubert de Bouard consults.

Winemaker Notes

After manual harvesting in crates and an initial sorting in the vineyard, the grapes are sorted again using the latest generation optical sorting system. Vinification is then carried out in stainless steel temperature controlled tanks however for some of the batches, malolactic fermentation is also carried out in new barrels. All of the first wine is matured in French oak barrels, 35% of which were renewed this vintage.

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot