2023 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou - 2eme Cru Classe St. Julien

Decanter.com – 97 pts – GH: *Lovely vibrant purple colour in the glass. Smells fragrant and lifted, a combination of sweet and ripe and fresh blackcurrant and black cherries on the nose with a touch of dark chocolate. Smooth and so silky, but rich too, there’s depth and weight but not too much. I love the texture - grippy and filling no doubt, it coats the mouth with a crushed velvet texture, you feel the ripeness but there’s such lift and effortless purity of fruit that it feels fresh too. No extra fat, but equally it’s not too lean, not strict at all, where many are. Not hollow, not light, there’s no let up. Juicy cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry with lots of liquorice on the finish. Feels well crafted. Maybe not as immediately moreish as some, but this is really well made. Feels elegant and stylish.7pH. 89 IPT. Ageing 18 months, 100% new oak. 12% press.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 96 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische Orangenzesten, reife Herzkirschen, Brombeerkonfitüre, zarte florale Noten, einladendes Bukett, rotbeerige Nuancen. Saftig, elegant, rote Herzkirschen, feine Tannine, frischer Säurebogen, salzig im Abgang, bleibt gut haften, zarte Extraktsüße im Nachhall, besitzt Länge und Reifepotenzial.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 97/100 pts: *Expressiv, rauchig, floral, dunkelfruchtig, sehr tief; dicht am Gaumen, viel Druck, kein Gramm Fett, top strukturiert, mit Rasse, Biss und sehr schöner Länge, salin im Finish. Sehr klassisch.*

WeinWisser – 18,5+/20 pts – GL, TW: *85 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot, 30 hl/ha. Dicht verwobenes betörendes Parfüm, frischgepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, edle Cassiswürze und berauschenden Veilchenparfüm, dahinter Minze, Schattenmorellensaft und heller Tabak. Am tiefgründigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, rassiger Säure und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten energiegeladenen Finale blaubeerige Konturen, dunkles Graphit und feinkörnige Adstringenz. Kratzt an der höheren Note.* – 04/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 17+/20pts – JL: *85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. Cask sample. Deep purple-black colour. Better on the palate at the moment, the nose a little wayward. Lovely textural feel on attack, the tannins plentiful but velvety and smooth. Quite ample but also long and driven. Good freshness as well. Ageing potential.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – AG: *The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien. The aromatics alone are captivating. Truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and menthol build in a creamy, lavish Ducru. The 2023 is a classic Bruno Borie wine that emphasizes textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 100% new oak for a planned 18 months, has a less forceful bouquet than the 2022 last year and, consequently, shows more refinement and poise. The scents don't come barging out of the blocks, but they creep up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry. Showing moderate depth, it’s quite linear in style and grippy. A faint touch of bell pepper emerges on the classically styled finish that reminds me of some of the old vintages of Ducru-Beaucaillou. This is the strictest vintage I have encountered in some time.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *Saffron, licorice, turmeric, espresso, black cherries, blackberries, mint, and flowers create the perfume. The palate is vibrant, fresh, elegant, concentrated focused. The fruits are ripe, clean, and pure, with a racy, freshness. But, the wine is not overly bright, instead, it is silky, succulent, finesse-oriented, and elegant. The finish holds your attention for close to 50 seconds. The key to the success of the vintage at Ducru was finding the exact moment to pick. Ducru Beaucaillou continues its unstoppable roll of fabulous vintages. Produced from blending 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% Merlot, 13% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place from September 8 -- October 3. Drink from 2028-2065.* - 05/2024