Castle Ducru-Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2014

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

Fabulous aromas of crushed berries such as blackberries and blackcurrants, not to mention spices. Wet earth and cedar, too. Complex. Full-bodied, yet agile and complete. A dense center palate. Ultra-round tannins. Everything in the right balance. Wonderful to taste but better to drink in 2022.

Vinous

95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

One of the more powerful wines for the year, the 2014 Ducru-Beaucaillou surprises with its sheer concentration. A blast of dark cherry, crème de cassis, mocha, spice and chocolate makes a strong opening statement. Super-ripe, voluptuous and opulent, the wine possesses off-the-charts depth and richness. Ducru remains the most opulent and flamboyant of the 2014 Saint-Juliens. While some 2014s have faded a bit over the last two years, Ducru has barely budged. I imagine it will be many years before the 2014 starts drinking well. Proprietor Bruno Borie gave it 18 months in 100 % new French oak. 95+

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

the1/4/2017

Opulent, with layers of warmed fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture that loll along, yet are kept going by a terrific graphite note that is well-buried throughout. Alluring black tea, singed mesquite and bittersweet cocoa accents add to the panache. A head-turner. Best from 2020 through 2040. From France.—J.M.

Le Point

18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, épicé complexe, poivre, bouche ample, douce, fraîche, large, bien fruitée, très fruits noirs, très beau fruit, tanins superbes. 

Vinous

94-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of the richest, most explosive wines of the year. Scents of blackberry jam, crème de cassis, graphite, pencil shavings, exotic spices and lavender meld into a plush core of super-ripe fruit in a decidedly opulent, full-throttle Ducru that is strikingly beautiful today. The 2014 is likely to require many years to drop some of its baby fat, but it is unquestionably stunning. Veins of saline-inflected minerality add a measure of freshness to the unctuous yet brooding finish. Readers who can find the 2014 should not hesitate, as it is truly magnificent. In 2014, the blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Deep, dark ruby with purple in its hue, this wine is brimming with smoke, espresso, blackberry, black cherry, licorice, earth, a whole spice box of aromatics and that’s just the foreplay. The lush velour textured tannins, layers of dark berry liqueur and the lasting sensation of fresh, perfectly ripened fruit elevates this wine to the next level. This is the best wine of the appellation and once again, one of the top wines in the vintage. Produced from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.81 and is aging in 100% new French oak barrels. 95-96 Pts

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2014 is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that was picked between 25 September and 15 October and matured in 100% new oak as usual. The IPT is 81, the pH 3.81. Compared to recent vintages the nose is more backward, sultry and less explosive although there is still impressive concentration here. It's just "buttoned down" at present. (A second sample showed a little more sous-bois, more complexity than the first.) The palate is medium-bodied and masculine, a little chalky in the mouth with a firm backbone. Bruno Borie has overseen a more classic Ducru-Beaucaillou, one that I suspect will be less approachable than the last three vintages, boasting a Pauillac-like, graphite-infused finish that just needs to gain a little more persistence during its élevage. This is one wine that actually showed better on my second visit, demonstrating more élan and brio, but nuances notwithstanding, it is another magnificent Ducru-Beaucaillou to add to the roster.

Asian Palate

95 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

A deep, rich powerful Ducru with sumptuous, generous tannins and lovely flavors. Layers of blackberry, pepper, spices and hint of violets. Quietly reserved but with immense power. This is one of the most intense Ducru made since 2010 with 13.5% alcohol. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 18 months in 100% new oak.

Decanter.com

18,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Superb nose, totally luscious fruit for 95% Cabernet Sauvignon – pure vineyard ripeness. A total success in this vintage as one can now expect from Ducru. Drink: 2020-2040 (95)

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot (the target assemblage) will be aged for 18 months in 100% new oak. pH 3.81. 
Very dense crimson. Cedary nose. Scented and more grounded with more density than the other wines from this stable. Firm finish with lots of fine velvety tannin. Masses of tannin (IPT 81). One of the most backward wines.

Jamessuckling.com

96-97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

Stunning aromas of licorice, blackcurrants, minerals, dried rose petals and wet earth. Full body, incredibly intense fruit yet this remains compacted and toned with tannins. Long, long finish. What a wine.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Merlot. 100 % neue Barriques. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Delikates Bouquet, zart und defensiv im ersten Ansatz, reife Kirschen, Kaffee, Zedernduft und Edelhölzer. Je länger man daran riecht, desto einfacher wird die Kommunikation, vom Druck her eher filigran. Sublimer Gaumen, cremige Tannine, vom fein geformten Körper her wirklich tänzerisch mit einer traumhaften Balance, die Adstringenz ist hyperfein und prinzessenhaft, das Finale sehr lang, nachhaltig und glücklicherweise auch mit einer beispielhaften Cabernetmilde ausgestattet. Die einzige Frage, welche in meinem Hinterkopf kreist: Kann ein so milder Wein, diese volle Holzladung im weiteren Ausbau ertragen? Ein leiser Ducru für Mussestunden. Was wäre das Gegenteil von diesem Wein? Laut und Rock-n-Roll! Das ist dieser traumhafte Ducru ganz sicher nicht. Der Ducru-Beaucaillou 2014 das beste Violinenkonzert, welches man trinken kann! 19/20 2020 – 2050

Wine Enthusiast

96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

95–97. Barrel Sample. This wine showcases the balanced combination of power and elegance that's commonly associated with the property. It also has fresh acidity, complex tannins and a dense, dark structure full of black currant fruitiness. It is certain to age over the long term.