| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the 2013 Ducru Beaucaillou achieved 13% natural alcohol. This beauty possesses a lot more texture than many 2013s as well as a deep ruby/purple color, a serious mid-palate, lots of cassis and spring flower characteristics intermixed with notions of oak and forest floor, medium body, and a ripe, soft personality. It will be ideal for drinking in its first decade or more of life.
There is no doubting the remarkable effort Bruno Borie has made at this gorgeous estate that frequently behaves like a first-growth. In 2013, the harvest took place between September 26 and October 9, with less than 50% of the crop going into the grand vin.
This is real wine with a tasty and rich palate with chocolate, stone and berry. Medium to full body with refined tannins and a savory texture. A wine for pleasure. Drink or hold.
Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2013 Ducru-Beaucaillou has an open-knit nose of warm cassis, raspberry coulis and baked cherries with touches of cigar box, dried herbs, underbrush and pencil shavings plus a hint of smoked meats. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm, chewy texture and lovely freshness defining the red and black fruited flavors, finishing pleasantly grippy. 2020 - 2035
The 2013 Ducru Beaucaillou has a lifted blackberry, wild hedgerow and mint-scented bouquet, perhaps lacking some presence at first, but give this a few swirls and it gains more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red and black fruit on the entry, decent depth on the mid-palate, quite approachable thanks to the supple tannin and it handles the 100% new oak very well. When I discussed the wine with proprietor Bruno Borie, he was adamant that he would not reduce it. It has certainly put on a little weight since I tasted it from barrel and as such, it has good potential to become one of the go-to 2013 (no oxymoron intended) Left Bank wines.
Bruno Borie has overseen not just one of the best Saint Julien wines of 2013, but one of the best Left Bank wines. The Grand Vin is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot picked between 26 September with the Merlot and finishing with the Cabernet on 9 October, stopping on the 4 October during the showers. It was cropped at 26hl/ha. It has quite an elegant and natural bouquet, very classic in style with a subtle marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied is medium-bodied with very good concentration and well judged acidity. I like the density here and the grainy texture, persistent on the spicy finish. This is a big step up from the Croix de Beaucaillou this year and an assured, composed Saint Julien. Tasted March 2014.
A new traditional styled wine with a texture that spreads across the palate with strawberry, light citrus and mineral character. Harmonious and sexy. Medium and fine. Reminds me of the excellent 1971.
