The Drinks Business
par Colin Hay le 07/05/2024
Grand-Puy Ducasse (Pauillac; 52% Cabernet Sauvignon; 44% Merlot; 4% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 50 hl/ha; 13.5% alcohol; tasted at the UGC press tasting at the Cité du Vin). We’re already off to a good start when the second wine, Prélude, is rather better than most recent vintages of the grand vin. And the good news continues with the grand vin itself in 2023. Lush, plump, plush, opulent and yet elegant and classically refined on the nose, with dark berry and stone fruit, the damson and mulberry perhaps just stealing the show. Quite sweet fruited, enticingly so. The palate is soft and nicely filled, here with cherries, damsons, brambles and mulberries. Succulent through the mid-palate but chewy and substantial on the finish which is lifted, elegant and long. The best I’ve ever tasted from here and a new benchmark I am sure for the property.