Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 2012
Tasted blind at the Bordeaux 2012 Southwold tasting. The 2012 Ducru Beaucaillou was broody and stubborn on the nose: the fruit remaining off-stage while earthy, leathery notes take the limelight. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a tart entry, a keen line of acidity here that lends this energy, a sense of frisson. It settles down as it approaches the finish, gaining harmony all the time with a smooth, lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth. It needs time but it will repay you. RP
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 2018 (Limited time offer item – other promotion offers and W Rewards are not applicable)
Deep purple-black colored, it has a powerful nose of baked black cherries, blackberry preserves and crème de cassis with nuances of menthol, pencil lead, cedar chest and Indian spices, plus fragrant wafts of violets and licorice emerging after a few minutes. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with impactful black fruits and exotic spices layers, supported by firm, ripe grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. There is a brightness to the wine—surprising freshness—and yet it remains very rich and hedonic, presenting an extraordinary vinous paradox that will blow away fans of this great estate. RP
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru Year of Dragon Set
1 x Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 1988
1 x Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 2000
1 x Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 2012
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 2006
This classic, backward, tannic St.-Julien is made in the style of the 1996 and 1986. The 2006 Ducru Beaucaillou possesses a dense purple color along with a sweet perfume of graphite, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, and subtle toasty oak. Despite their prominent place in the wine’s structure, the sweetness of the tannins and the full-bodied, muscular style suggest exceptional patience will be required. This is a big, substantial, meaty, masculine wine built for considerable longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. RP
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru Year of Horse Set (1990) (Limited time offer item – other promotion offers and W Rewards are not applicable)
3 x Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 1990
Medium brick-brown in color, the 1990 Ducru-Beaucaillou is quite evolved, offering notions of incense, tree bark, tilled soil and tobacco with nuances of preserved plums, kirsch, tapenade and leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate still possesses a good amount of earth-laced savory fruit with a bit of chew to the texture and a stewed tea finish. RP
Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien 2eme Cru 1985
A wine of extraordinary charm and elegance, the dark garnet-colored 1985 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a floral, cedary nose intermixed with red and black currants as well as flowers. The wine is fully mature and soft, with beautiful concentration and purity. It is not a blockbuster, and certainly not nearly as powerful and massive as the 1986, but it is certainly much more seductive. This wine should continue to drink well for at least another 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2012. Last tasted, 5/02. RP