2015 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou - 2eme Cru Classe St. Julien

04/16: *Beaucoup d’harmonie, de complexité, de tendresse, avec un retour de tannin très racé. Il devrait prendre du corps avec un an supplémentaire de fût. C’est d’ailleurs presque un mono-cépage (95 % de cabernet sauvignon, peut être le pourcentage le plus élevé du Médoc dans ce millésime).* (96/100)

Decanter.com – 99 pts – YC: *The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is very reminiscent of the style of the vintage with dark berry aromas, smoky notes, spices, liquorice, and graphite. Very elegant oaky frame with air. On the palate, there is both unctuosity and freshness, but also an animal note and sappy, velvety tannins. The imposing tannic structure has yet to smooth out, but underneath there is remarkable depth and substance. It will take some time for this racy thoroughbred to hit its stride.* - 06/2021

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife dunkle Beerenfrucht, feine Edelholzwürze, ein Hauch von Nougat, noch recht deutlich vom neuen Holz geprägt. Stoffig, schwarze Kirschen, integriertes, aber noch sehr präsentes Holz, frische Struktur, schwarze Kirschen im Abgang, gute Länge, im Moment etwas verschlossen.* - 03/2019

Vinum Magazin – 19/20pts: *Ein der ganz grossen Ducru, elegant, sinnlich, aber auch mit Dichte und Rasse, herrlicher Wein, der lange, lange Freude machen wird.* - 06/2018

Weinwisser - 19/20pts: *95 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Merlot. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Noch nie war ein Ducru so süss bei der Primeurprobe, ein Korb voll Maulbeeren, Brombeeren und Cassis, füllig, schier opulent und komplex. Im Gaumen setzt sich diese ausufernde Frucht fort, dann erst kommt die Adstringenz! Sie zeigt das immense Potenzial dieses Weines auf, der mit seinem gebündelten Druck im extrem langen Finale streng und verlangend wirkt. Zweifellos ein grosser Wein. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Crus war die Ernte hier eher klein mit etwa 35 hl/ha. Er wird, meistens für 18 Monate, in 100 % neuem Holz ausgebaut. Gehört zu den grossen Ducrus. Und von solchen gab es in den letzten Jahren praktisch eine nahtlose Serie.*

JancisRobinson.com - 17/20pts - JH: *95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot. 18 months in new French oak. Surprisingly evolved colour with some brick at the rim. Cassis and cassis leaf, with dark but fresh fruit on the nose and lots of savoury black-olive flavour. Much bigger and richer in the mouth than the nose predicts. Big, oaky and thickly textured, glossy. Powerful but balanced, generous.* - 04/2023

JamesSuckling.com - (95-96) pts - JS: *A dense and compressed red with loads of blackberry and blueberry character. Fresh wet vineyard soil. Some mushroom too. Full and very tannic yet polished and very refined. Super balance and depth.* - 04/2016

Vinous.com - 98 pts - AG: *TThe 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is phenomenally great. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 pulses with energy in all of its dimensions. Creme de cassis, blackberry jam, graphite, smoke, leather and incense, along with the wine's muscular tannins, convey an impression of brooding intensity. The 2015 has been nothing short of sensational on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Readers should be prepared to be patient. Don't miss it!* - 02/2018

Vinous.com – 94+ pts – NM: *The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is maybe a little more understated than its peers; it doesn’t grab you by your lapels and demand your attention. It is attractive, but I would have liked more vigor. The medium-bodied palate presents grainy tannin, gentle grip, more freshness in the mouth than on the nose, and a pastille-like purity toward the sweet, candied finish. Lovely, but it has certainly retreated into its shell and will require extended cellaring vis-à-vis its peers. [Another bottle tasted at the château and afforded a long decanting showed better.] Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.* - 07/2019

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 98 pts – JL: *Deep, dark in color, the wine exudes cigar box, tobacco leaf, flowers, black cherries, blackberries, crushed rock, clay, and lead pencil. If awards were given out for the most sensual vintage of Ducru Beaucaillou ever produced, 2015 earns the gold medal. Rich, full-bodied, opulent, sexy, and also vibrant, fresh, long, and intense, the fruit shows purity and intensity, but it is the silky-textured, lingering finish that steals the show. Give this a few years and it is really going to shine. Drink from 2027-2060.* - 07/2022