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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.1 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 203 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Torchy on 2/3/2024 & rated 92 points: Dark red with a brown edge. Concentrated nose with steel, fruit syrup, light licorice, ashtray, and some green notes. A bit perfumed. The palate has cassis, blue fruit, cough syrup, and an old-fashioned drug store. Still structured, with a very light finish. (891 views) | | | Tasted by NewFrenchClaret on 12/30/2023 & rated 92 points: From a pristine bottle with a fill into the neck. Some reviews here suggest that many bottles were tested and recorked due to widespread TCA, which makes sense since the cork came out surprisingly intact.
Delightful though. On the lighter side for sure, but not lacking in flavor. Still a fair amount of black fruit, but lots of earthy St Julien goodness as well. Tannin is about right, so very pleasing to drink.
Declined a bit on day 2, so probably not much life left. (900 views) | | | Tasted by VDLT Wine on 12/28/2023: Despite what was likely not perfect storage at some points in its life, this was exemplary and excellent Ducru. Decanted shortly before service, it didn’t change much over the course of a couple of hours. Fully resolved and tertiary, tobacco was dominant (perhaps a little too much). I would have liked a bit more wow but a fine claret nonetheless. (917 views) | | | Tasted by SARED on 9/29/2023 & rated 93 points: Medium bodied, bright, resolved, round. Drink now. 93/94 (1606 views) | | | Tasted by Vinnut on 9/20/2023 & rated 93 points: Deep, dark garnet in color with slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe fruit aromas of cherries, blackcurrants & cassis with overtones of classic cigar box notes of tobacco & cedar, floral notes of violets, earthy/dusty, leather, coffee/cocoa, herbs, spices, minerals & a hint of oak in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of sweet dark cherries, cranberries & cassis with truffles, dark cocoa, coffee, herbs, minerals & a hint of oak/vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing. At 34 years of age, it is at its peak of development but should be able to hold here for a few additional years. However, I doubt any further development would occur. Fill was at lower neck level above shoulder; cork was clean & intact. (1605 views) | | | Tasted by tdanie5 on 9/24/2022: No formal tasting notes; but remember it being a crowd pleaser. This bottle was rebottled in 2010 at chateaux, I believe. (3339 views) | | | Tasted by levicn on 7/2/2022 & rated 92 points: 中石榴红色，闻香有野肉，话梅，石墨和泥土气息，入口酸度中高，单宁颗粒细腻如粉，梅果，烤面包混合着融合的香料味，余味漂亮的胭脂香料，充分陈年的优雅与平和。状态完美的一支老年份酒，没有丝毫的老态，二三类香气完美融合。就是紧跟着大玛歌登场让它显得非常吃亏，偏小的结构，含蓄的风格被强力绽放的大玛歌光芒掩盖。也许应该和波菲一起登场，细细品味，能对比两支圣朱利安二级名庄的不同魅力。 (3237 views) | | | Tasted by jviz on 6/19/2022 & rated 93 points: Reconditioned at the chateau and I thought it showed great. A little pen ink and VA on the nose but as it aired out, it showed a lot of classic left bank notes. Fairly savory yet, but despite the dark fruit and somewhat traditional profile, this wine was sort of light to medium weight on the palate and came off a little thin next to the 89 LMHB (3370 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 2/11/2022: 1989-2000 Top Bordeaux with Pizza (Schur House - Riverwoods IL): Single blind 1989-2000 Bordeaux. Popped-and-poured, which made this seem very backward and reticent to start. Dense, spicy, and meaty, this was very slowly emerging from its shell. Very good potential, I think this much younger than 1989. (4369 views) | | | Tasted by B Paul on 12/24/2021 flawed bottle: Great cork, fill, color, etc. but it was corked… (3823 views) | | | Tasted by Purple Tooth on 11/26/2021 & rated 92 points: Fresh yet, with more seriousness and an impressive showing of youth. Notes of decaying leaves, green peppercorn, nuances of bell pepper, all wrapped in a cedar wrapping. Very long and dry finish....I think this is mature with no more guts for further development, but still sturdy. Drink or Hold (3371 views) | | | Tasted by dream on 9/28/2021 & rated 94 points: A great showing for this wine tonight which matched up quite well in the flight against the '89 Margaux. It clearly shows that incredibly complex spice box finish that Ducru is known for with proper age. A great bottle courtesy of Cathleen. (3006 views) | | | Tasted by SonnyChiba on 9/3/2021: Last time trying this was 5 yrs ago and my notes were a little better. The wine is starting to thin out a bit and on the decline. (2791 views) | | | Tasted by Eriklainen on 8/30/2021: DVI at Forslundska
As good as previous two bottles. Teritary aromas galore. Verging on geriatric but just enough fruit and no ox-problem. This is really quite svelte for a BDX and the cigar box doesn't kill the wine. Was outshined by the Margaux 82 but to no ones surprise. No cork issue with this bottle either, despite its reputation (bottle not re-corked). (2395 views) | | | Tasted by Eriklainen on 7/4/2021: Cassis and truffles. Some cedar. Complexity is Mesmerising. Earth. Sous Bois. (2211 views) | | | Tasted by Eriklainen on 6/20/2021: Opens up fairly quickly. Nose is the best. Oysters, dark chocolate, truffle, some coffee and newly sawn wood. Fruit is weaker than a 1986 I had not long ago yet tannins and acid are both still adequate. So it feels its age in one sense (fading fruit) but feels viable with a real grip, and slightly drying tannins. Some green notes still there. But won't get any better is my guess. Lovely all the same. (2013 views) | | | Tasted by pavel_p on 5/28/2021: My last bottle of the 89 Ducru. Perfect fill due to a cold cellar (in neck / bottom neck). For once a clean bottle too with no TCA. Very pleasant mature Bordeaux but as mentioned in my last note you do not have to spend money on an 89 or a Super Second for this type of experience. 90-91 (2038 views) | | | Tasted by mowtod on 5/16/2021: With lamb shanks and polenta and gremolata
very good (1738 views) | | | Tasted by pavel_p on 5/12/2021 & rated 91 points: After three bottles of TCA affected 89/90 Ducru this is my first clean bottle. Pnp and drank over 2h. Barnyard and fine dark fruit on the nose, a fairly lean palate with cedar and some dark fruit, tannins integrated, short finish. A nice traditional claret, I like this style, but nothing here is pointing towards a great Bdx vintage (89) nor a Super Second... (1937 views) | | | Tasted by RayOB on 12/15/2020 & rated 91 points: Drank at Home
Slightly faded but beautiful (2439 views) | | | Tasted by NickBurwood on 12/11/2020 & rated 94 points: 18 months since my last noted excellent bottle - this one matched it with a near identical profile.
To quote from 2018: "Viscous, rich brulée plum and cassis fruit core. Earth in abundance, smoke, strap, charred oak and dusky integrated tannins. Velvet but with enough acidity for perfect balance." The main difference was the state of the cork: this one was perfect - the previous crumbling!
With the usual caveat emptor warning for later '80s Ducru there is no great rush to drink up based on this bottle - but equally nothing much to be gained. 2 more to go. (2326 views) | | | Tasted by Thoughtful on 11/27/2020 & rated 93 points: Stored in a cold cellar since release. Superb cork!! Fill just under cork. Restrained bouquet. Deep colour. Cedar, black fruits, cherry, medium bodied. Excellent balance. At least 10 more years but will it improve? (2275 views) | | | Tasted by Glaso da Vino on 6/20/2020 & rated 92 points: Spectacular, evolved, cigar box, ripe fruit, elegant, balanced silky all the way through. If you have it, this is drinking in the window right now. It wont get better. (3056 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 3/12/2020: Drinking very well. Pnp'ed, Perfect drinking window. Still has just the slightest hint of fruit, good cigar and old library. Enjoyable. (3524 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 11/9/2019 & rated 90 points: https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/11/ducru-beaucaillou-vertical-showcases.html (3697 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Yohan Castaing
Decanter, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou vertical tasting: 1953-2018 (6/1/2021)
(Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Cabernet Sauvignon, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, A Century of Bordeaux: The Nines (Sep 2019) (9/1/2019)
(Ducru-beaucaillou Ducru-beaucaillou Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, A Century of Bordeaux: The Nines (Sep 2019) (9/1/2019)
(Ducru-beaucaillou Ducru-beaucaillou Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/13/2019)
(Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Alex Hunt, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/12/2015)
(Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, Where the Heart Is: Ducru-Beaucaillou 1934-2018 (Jul 2022)
(Ducru-Beaucaillou Ducru-Beaucaillou Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and Vinous and JancisRobinson.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Producer website - Read more about Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
A visit to Ducru Beaucaillou -https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/08/ducru-beaucaillou.html
"Pour Boys" Chicago vertical tasting of Ducru Beaucaillou -
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/11/ducru-beaucaillou-vertical-showcases.html
Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.St. Julien VdB
Read more detailed information on St. Julien and its wines The seventeenth century pioneers Traces are to be found of a Saint-Julien de Rintrac, perhaps Saint-Julien's earliest name, as from the thirteenth century. But we have to wait until the seventeenth century pioneers, urban and rural aristocrats, discover the exceptional merits of these terroirs.
Traces of this system still exist today in the structure of estates within the appellation: by the side of the two villages of Beychevelle and Saint-Julien, the large estates are heavily preponderant, representing more than four fifths of the total surface of vineyards.
The terrain is practically identical over all the commune. Only the proximity of the estuary, sometimes close, sometimes further away, can cause slight variations in climate. In fact, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle's layer of gravel takes the form of a huge rectangle over 3 miles long and 2 miles wide. And the alluvial deposits are particularly well fragmented into ridges of Garonne gravel of the early Quaternary. Accordingly, the vines are safeguarded from stagnant water.
The wines from the Saint-Julien appellation may be recognized by their unparalleled bouquet, particularly harmonious and mild. They have a fine deep colour and combine the finesse of their aromas and a solid constitution. They have body, are very rich in flavour and have a delicious and delicate bouquet.
Production conditions (Decree dated November 14, 1936)
In order to have the right to the Saint-Julien appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Saint-Julien and from precisely defined parcels in the communes of Cussac, and Saint-Laurent, "excluding the parcels situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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