Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse
シャトー・グラン・ピュイ・デュカス
Pauillac's most diverse terroir: 11 soil types, 60 parcels, organic since 2025
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse is a 5ème Grand Cru Classé of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, located in the Pauillac appellation of the Médoc. Unlike most Bordeaux châteaux, its historic building sits on the quays of the town of Pauillac overlooking the Gironde Estuary rather than amid its vineyards — a distinction it has held since 1820, when the Ducasse family constructed their winery on the waterfront, making it the only Pauillac château to vinify in the heart of town for two centuries. The estate's origins trace to 1675 when Arnaud Ducasse acquired riverside property in Pauillac; subsequent generations expanded holdings across three parishes (Pauillac, Saint-Lambert, Saint-Sauveur) bordering the great estates of Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, and Pontet Canet. Purchased in 2004 by CA Grands Crus (a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Group), the estate underwent a decade-long modernisation culminating in the July 2024 inauguration of the 'Renaissance' project: a stunning cellar renovation featuring 55 truncated-cone stainless-steel vats (46 suspended from the ceiling to maximise space), enabling precise parcel-by-parcel vinification across 51 separate parcels. The 40-hectare vineyard spans 60 parcels across 11 distinct soil types — the most diverse terroir mosaic in Pauillac — planted to approximately 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and up to 9% Petit Verdot. A gradual organic transition begun in 2014 achieved full certification in 2025. The wines are aged 18–24 months in French oak barrels with 30–40% new wood, producing structured, aromatic Pauillac of classical character with 15–30 years of ageing potential.
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Who Is This For?
Bordeaux lovers who want a classic structured Pauillac at a more accessible price point than the First Growths, collectors building long-aging cellars, and wine enthusiasts drawn to historically rooted estates undergoing exciting modern transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What classification is Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse?
- It is a 5ème Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Official Bordeaux Classification, making it one of the 18 classified growths of Pauillac.
- Who owns Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse today?
- Since 2004 it is owned by CA Grands Crus, a subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole banking group. The estate is led by director Anne Le Naour and winemaker Benjamin Cassoulet.
- Why is the château located in town rather than in the vineyards?
- In 1820 the Ducasse family built their winery directly on the quays of Pauillac facing the Gironde Estuary, making Grand-Puy-Ducasse the only Pauillac château to vinify in the heart of the town for two centuries. The 2024 Renaissance renovation transformed this historic waterfront building into a state-of-the-art cellar open to visitors.
- How long should I age a bottle of Grand-Puy-Ducasse?
- The grand vin reaches maturity with at least 10–15 years of ageing from the vintage, and the best vintages can develop beautifully for 25–30 years. Young vintages benefit from 2–4 hours of decanting.
- Is Grand-Puy-Ducasse farmed organically?
- Yes. The estate began its organic transition in 2014 and achieved full organic certification in 2025, after over a decade of gradual conversion starting from a small 4.7-hectare pilot plot.