Grand Puy Ducasse 2008

A classic Pauillac as well as a sleeper of the vintage, the 2008 is even better from bottle than I predicted from cask. It boasts a dense purple color along with an impressive display of black currants, licorice, forest floor and graphite, medium to full body, a hefty personality, plenty of pure, sweet fruit, an enticing texture and a long finish with supple tannins. It is ideal for drinking now and over the next 15+ years.

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The Grand Puy Ducasse 2008 has a conservative, rather austere bouquet with fine definition: the kind of Pauillac you would find in a gentleman's club. The palate has a dry entry, a little hollow and mean towards the green, leafy finish. Tasted January 2012.

This suave, lush, opulently-styled 2008 exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue, medium body, and attractively forward, sweet notes of creme de cassis, licorice, and earth. Like many of its peers, the purity of fruit and ripeness of the tannins are admirable. Consume it over the next 10-15 years

Little on the nose - rather dusty, lacking a little lift and clarity. The palate has a peppery entry, very tannic and masculine, just needing more fleshiness towards the austere finish. Not a bad Ducasse - hopefully it will add some fat during élevage. A second bottle lean and very dusty on the finish.