Decanter: “Grand-Puy Ducasse: The Pauillac estate turning a corner”

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Jane Anson: “Takes us to the heart of Pauillac”

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​William Kelley; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate: “Under the direction of Anne Le Naour, this 40-hectare estate is seeing significant investments, and the results are really beginning to show.”

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Few estates capture the character of Pauillac quite like Château Grand-Puy Ducasse. Classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the estate has spent centuries building a reputation for wines that reflect the depth and longevity that have made Pauillac one of the world's most respected wine regions.

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The story began in 1675 when Arnaud Ducasse acquired a modest property on the banks of the Gironde Estuary. Little did he know that it would remain in the family for almost three centuries, expanding across some of Pauillac's most prized sites to create a vineyard unlike any other in the appellation. 

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Today, its 40 hectares are spread across a remarkable patchwork of 11 different types of soil, from deep gravel and clay to limestone and sand. It is therefore considered as the most representative of the diversity of Pauillac’s terroirs, creating wines of staggering complexity.

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Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the vineyard, thriving on the estate's gravel-rich slopes and plateaus. Merlot plays an important supporting role, while a small proportion of Petit Verdot adds nuance to the final blend. Uniquely for a leading Pauillac estate, Grand-Puy Ducasse does not cultivate Cabernet Franc, choosing instead to focus entirely on the varieties best suited to its terroirs.

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In the vineyards, grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted before vinification. Significant investment over the past two decades has transformed both the winery and vineyard, allowing individual plots to be vinified separately and their unique characteristics preserved.

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Under the guidance of Anne Le Naour and Benjamin Cassoulet, the estate has entered a new chapter, one defined by precision and a clear vision for the future. Respect for the environment has become an equally important part of the estate's philosophy. Chemical weed control was abandoned in favour of soil cultivation many years ago, organic trials began in 2013, and the estate entered full organic conversion in 2025. Biodiversity is carefully monitored throughout the property, reflecting a long-term commitment to sustainable viticulture and the preservation of Pauillac's landscapes.

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The resulting wines are unmistakably Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and ageworthiness, while the estate's varied soils contribute freshness and balance. They are wines that reward patience, yet remain approachable in their youth, offering a genuine expression of both the vintage and the vineyard.

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Château Grand-Puy Ducasse holds special significance for Mosaique Wines. Through Thomas' years studying and working in Bordeaux, we developed a close connection with the estate and its team. We are proud to represent these wines in Australia and to offer Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse exclusively through Mosaique Wines.