Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Smells a bit mousey and ‘natural’. Then very voluptuous. Vegy, meaty notes without the structure of a classic Pauillac.
Drink 2023-2040
The 2015 Grand-Puy-Ducasse is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, matured in around 40% new oak, bottled in June 2017. It has a lighter bouquet than its peers, but is clean and pure and shows none of the greenness that afflicted older vintages of this estate. It has a floral tincture—hints of rose petal and peony complementing the redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit. Maybe I would just prefer a little more presence at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip in the mouth, quite structured with well-judged acidity, a nice spicy vein toward the finish of this composed and quite graceful Pauillac. This is one of the best vintages that I have encountered in recent years.
