2007 Grand Puy Ducasse

Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 2007 Bordeaux tasting. The 2007 Grand-Puy-Ducasse showed much better here than previously. It has a well-defined, characterful bouquet with woodland scents intermingled with blackberry, wild hedgerow and mint aromas. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly savory red fruit. There is a dash of white pepper and iron rust towards the foursquare finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. I noted that it did tend to dry out a little in the glass, and I duly lowered my initial score accordingly. I would not leave this in the cellar for too long. Tasted March 2015.

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot. The vineyard restructuring that had begun in 2006 continued, and would go on for the next decade. Tillage was introduced instead of weeding. The estate replaced six 245-hl fermenting tuns with smaller ones of 91 to 135 hl, to improve selection by plot. Mid ruby. Approachable and soft dusty tannins. Already drinkable. Fine and refined. A pleasure. (JR)

Dark ruby. Savoury and dense. Very intense and dry but with a good intensity of fruit. (JR)