| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
One of the stars of the vintage, and a remarkable achievement in 2008, with impressive richness, this dense purple colored wine is almost as opaque as the 2010. Spring flowers, crushed rocks, creme de cassis and some subtle oak are followed by a full-bodied, concentrated wine that transcends the vintage character in its power, richness, and aging potential. It also exhibits tremendous precision, purity, and depth of character. It is more forward than the 2010 is likely to be, but probably not as sumptuous as the 2009 will turn out to be. This is a wine to buy. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.
The 2008 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a fresh and vibrant nose. Occasionally this can come across a little stemmy and maybe it does here, but it is a facet that I think lends complexity and intrigue, touches of brine combining wonderfully with the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite firm tannins. There is a solid backbone to this Ducru-Beaucaillou; maybe this bottle is just closing in a little and one that would have benefitted from more decanting (indeed, it develops more precision in the glass.) Very fine, but give it more time. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. 2027-2050
Fabulous nose of crushed blackberries, minerals and raspberries, with hints of licorice. Full, with very fine tannins and a racy finish. I love the precision of the tannins and the long finish
Deep garnet colored, the 2008 Ducru-Beaucaillou begins a little broody, giving up glimpses of tar, chargrill, moss covered tree bark and fungi scents over a core of baked plums, warm cassis and blackberry compote plus a touch of unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, the palate has firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the earth laced black fruit layers, finishing minerally. 2020 - 2038
85% Cabernet Sauvignon. 90% new oak. Seven different coopers. Only 35 out of an estate total of 100ha goes into this wine now, though it used to be much more (before La Croix existed as a distinct entity).Impressive density with a pale purple rim. Aromatic and dry but with a lot of rich, velvety mass in the middle. Pretty impressive! Marginally flashy but really makes a splash. Dry finish. Very firm with lots of dry tannin. Pretty confident and savoury.. Wait! Ambitious. Very 'masculine'.
Ripe and fleshy on the nose blackcurrant is enriched by chocolate and coffee. The suppleness of the tannins helps to fill out the mid palate and ensure that the sweetness of the fruit shows to advantage. There is a backbone of freshness, this underlying structure enhancing complexity
In Bruno Borie's words, the 2008 Ducru Beaucaillou is "well above 2004, with much more structure than 2007, and more sensuality than 2006." I would add that it is even better than that, and as profound as the 2005. Approximately 33% of the crop made it into Ducru, which came in at 13.1% natural alcohol. This 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot blend reveals a dense opaque purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, licorice, espresso roast, and spice. A testament to the density and richness of this wine is the fact that no oak is apparent in the aromas or flavors. The wine is unctuously textured, but analytically, it has a good level of total acid and sound pH. This fabulous offering will age effortlessly for 30-40+ years.Bruno Borie deserves accolades for the remarkable things he has accomplished at Ducru Beaucaillou over the last few years.
The 2008 Ducru Beaucaillou has a very well defined bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, mineral and smoke. This is very focused and detailed, the oak beautifully integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, a fine line of acidity, crisp and detailed with a harmonious finish laced with white pepper that lingers in the mouth. There was a point where the 2008 came across as a little stemmy however, this element has clearly been subsumed and it should age with style over the next two decades. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting. 2018 - 2038
This contains 10% pressed wine (Bruno classifies five types of press wine and only uses the best.) A deep purple colour. Again, the nose is a little reticent at first but unfurls nicely in the glass with blackberry, cassis, a touch of graphite and smoke. There is a fine sense of mineralité this year. The palate is full-bodied, firm tannins, masculine, structured but great purity. Blackberry, cassis, blueberry and a touch of crushed violets. Grainy finish, a little unresolved but very fine matière. Good length and it harmonizes with aeration. More conservative than Las-Cases, but it is still extremely well crafted and should age gracefully. Tasted April 2009
