Ducru Beaucaillou 2015

The 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! 2030 - 2055

Aromas of oyster shell, iron and currants. Hints of iodine. Full-bodied, very tight and focused. Love the finish of sandalwood, cinnamon, violets and lavender. Wonderful tannin texture. Linear and driven. Drink in 2022.

The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that requires more time to settle and decide what it wants to be. The nose needs just a little more cohesion and focus, quite upfront and overtly floral, perhaps more than it needs to be and it just slightly occludes the terroir expression at the moment. The palate is smooth and velvety, with moderate depth and fine acidity. I sometimes find this a little lactic on the finish, as I do here; perhaps I might actually prefer the 2017 tasted alongside which shows more tension on the finish. A fine Ducru-Beaucaillou rather than a truly great one. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. 2027 - 2046

The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon at 95%, with just 5% Merlot in the blend. Deep garnet colored, it prances out of the glass with flamboyant notes of rose oil, sandalwood, and star anise, leading to a core of kirsch, warm cassis, and redcurrant jelly, plus a waft of cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is coated with opulent exotic spices and red and black berry preserves layers, framed by velvety tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and seductive.

Tasted blind. Mid garnet. Hint of old socks on the nose. Then lovely fresh, rosy fruit on the palate that almost disguises the tannin (like Montrose). Fascinating wine. Is this the Ducru? Long and intriguing.
Drink 2024-2045

Ducru is on top form these days. Bruno Borie has made some very serious wines at Ducru in recent vintages with many vats previously destined for the grand vin now being used for the second label. From 2003 onwards production of the first wine has been reduced from 15,000-20,000 cs to 9,000-11,000 cs. There is now more second wine - La Croix de Beaucaillou - than there is Grand Vin. Bruno's policy is now to only select fruit from the heart of the Ducru vineyard, overlooking the estuary for the Grand Vin. Ducru is clearly back where it belongs at the top of the super-second league. The 2015 - which is being matured in 100% new oak barrels - was made from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and has 13.4 degrees of alcohol. Deep purple in colour but lifted in its aromatics with perfumed purple and blue fruit that is superbly defined, ripe and enticing. This is layered by notes of fennel, coriander and nutmeg. The palate is immediately supple, elegant, rounded and silky with a plush black fruit core that provides effortless power to this outstanding Ducru Beaucaillou. The finish is creamy with sweet vanilla and smoky with tobacco, yet lifted by cherry blossom at the same time. Very well done!

The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine (there’s 5% Merlot) that was brought up in 100% new barrels. It’s a classic, elegant, classy 2015 revealing a deep, saturated purple color as well as terrific notes of crème de cassis, smoked earth, lead pencil, and violets. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin, and a stacked mid-palate, it should start to shine in 6-7 years and keep for three decades. 2024 - 2054

The black fruits on the nose are ripe the palate sweet with rich black cherry backed by chocolate and coffee. Fine well handled tannins support the back palate is supple and fleshy but there is underlying freshness bright at the back bilberry freshness under the ripe black cherry. The fruit lingers on the finish stylish with an elegant charm.

Containing the highest ever percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon at Ducru, this is a wine of
structure and impressive energy that was aged in 100% new oak. Rich, dense and complex,
it’s gutsy and profound, with polished tannins, blackberry and blackcurrant sweetness and a
long, tapering finish. Drink: 2025-40

There is considerable power and weight here with some seriously lush black fruit and lots of green flashes and highlights
among the massive oak intensity and relentless drive of flavour. There is no excess in any department, but the combination
of the elements is integrated beautifully and with stylish touches of spice and detail this is a wine which will live
for a very long time.