2019 Ducru Beaucaillou
Buying options
Tasting Notes
Fantastic intensity and focus to the aromas from dried tobacco, floral lift (dried rose), lots of clove spice and brooding black fruits, its explosive. The palate is deceptively supple, generous, fleshy – deceptive because the concentration of tannins is unbelievable yet fine and fully resolved, creating a layering velvet texture and at the same time, directional, focussed density. The fruit on the palate is more opulent, ripe cassis, blue fruit, black plum – it displays across the fruit spectrum, but there is some mineral underpinning too. The finish is incredible, all the fruit, the layered textures and perfumes fan out on the finish and the long sustain shows exceptional balance. This is rich, ripe and powerful, but restraint enough to hold tension too. Opulent and elegant is a balance difficult to achieve but it is done beautifully here.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Decanter
More reviews and scores
A very powerful Ducru with intense tannins and backbone, showing blue fruit, black tea and tobacco. Full-bodied with impressive structure and so much tannin. It goes on for minutes. Very traditional. Owner Bruno Borie said it is a wine to last forever and I have to agree. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot.
Inky depths to the concentrated ruby colour, the Cabernet Sauvignon imposes itself strongly from the first moment. No question that we are slap-bang in St Julien here, in the heart of this appellation's signature, with its elegance, balance and hidden power. At first the wine feels taut and austere, but performs the trick of changing as it travels through the palate, and by the end of play the texture is almost creamy, with blackberry, bilberry, black chocolate, cigar box, slate and liquorice. A big accomplishment, making this an unmissable Ducru.
I tasted the 2019 Ducru Beaucaillou four times in 12-hour intervals from opening. It has a splendid bouquet centered around black fruit laced with graphite, Montecristo cigars and hints of sage and cedar. This is one of the most Pauillac-like Ducrus that I have encountered at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, pitch perfect acidity and a sensual, satin-like texture that could seduce from miles away. There is a sense of completeness surrounding this Second Growth, charming you surfeit with nobility and outstanding in terms of persistence. Fabulous.
Related articles
About the producer
Second Growth estate Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien is one of the Super Seconds, an elite group of properties producing wines that regularly compete with the finest in the Médoc.