Lot 11
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 1969 (1)
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 1996 (1) 96 WA
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2000 (2) 95 WA
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2005 (1 MAG.) 97 WA
Lot 11 Details
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 1969 (1)
Saint-Julien.
u. hs.
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 1996 (1)
Saint-Julien. 2ième Cru Classé
rust stained label
The 1996 is long, with a deep mid-palate. It also reveals tannin in the finish. This wine is remarkable. It is muscular, concentrated, and classic. Bottled in late June, 1998, it exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, as well as a knock-out nose of minerals, licorice, cassis, and an unmistakable lead pencil smell that I often associate with top vintages of Lafite-Rothschild. It is sweet and full-bodied, yet unbelievably rich with no sense of heaviness or flabbiness. The wine possesses high tannin, but it is extremely ripe, and the sweetness of the black currant, spice-tinged Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is pronounced. This profound, backward Ducru-Beaucaillou is a must purchase. It will be fascinating for readers who own the 1996 to follow the evolution of this exceptional vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2035. WA 96
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2000 (2)
Saint-Julien. 2ième Cru Classé
1 x scraped label
A stunning wine from Ducru Beaucaillou which showcases its great terroir, this elegant but substantial 2000 has a dense purple color that has hardly budged since it was first bottled. Displaying a floral note, with hints of boysenberries, black raspberries, black currants and a touch of background oak, the wine has superb concentration and density, but still has some substantial tannins that are not yet fully resolved. I originally predicted that it should be drinkable from 2010-2030, but I would modify that now to 2015-2035. June 2010 WA 95
CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU 2005 (1 mag.)
Saint-Julien. 2ième Cru Classé
u. bn.
The 2005 Ducru Beaucaillou is a 10,000-case blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot (they used to produce 18,000-20,000 cases). It is an exceptionally powerful wine with a dense purple color, superb intensity, and a beautiful, sweet nose of spring flowers, raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied with fabulous concentration, exceptionally high tannin, good acidity, and massive layers of richness that build incrementally on the palate, this monumental effort is more structured than their outstanding 2003. It may be the finest wine produced at this estate since the 1982 and 1961 Ducrus. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050. April 2008 WA 97