2023, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, SAINT-JULIEN, 2ème Grand Cru Classé

Last Year EP $408.00-

Bruno Borie has made some very serious wines at (2nd Growth) Ducru in recent vintages with many vats previously destined for the grand vin now being used for the second or third labels. Bruno's policy is now to only select fruit from the heart of the Ducru vineyard.
The 2023 is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.

"There’s a vertical plushness to the opulent core of dark fruit. It’s lavish and stylish, restrained by a certain Cabernet classicism.
As ever, selection is rigorous in the pursuit of perfection."
Justerini & Brooks, London.

Deep garnet-purple in colour, the 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou opens with classic great Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, mulberries, and ripe plums leading to a perfume of lilacs, lavender, and pencil shavings with a touch of cardamom. The light to medium-bodied palate is very tightly wound and so, so elegant, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and wonderful tension giving definition to the black and red berry layers, finishing long and fragrant. This is more structured than most Médoc wines this year and very impressive. 
95-97+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.

This has aromas of blackberries and blackcurrant, as well as graphite and flint. Some gunpowder. It’s full-bodied with extremely refined tannins, a creamy character and al-dente fruit at the finish. Crunchy, succulent and linear. Mineral edge to it. Energetic. 
96-97 James Suckling.

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 emphasises textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling.
95-97 Antonio Galloni.

Glass-staining violet. A serious Ducru, delivered with precision and balance, with plenty of concentration and a slow, long build, layered, fine and sappy tannins. Proof again that this is a great Cabernet year in this corner of Bordeaux, less velvet concentration than the 2022 Ducru perhaps, but more finesse and packed full of nuance, and a saline mouthwatering finish. 
96 Jane Anson.