Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2018

Wine Advocate

97-97

byNeal Martinthe9/20/2022

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou, tasted just after my in-bottle tastings, is all mint and violet over the nose, precocious and generous, very pure and enticing. The palate is medium-bodied with a lot of new oak that will be subsumed with time. This is very pure, beautifully balanced, silky smooth with great precision on the finish. It is a superb 2018 that will need at least a decade in the cellar and with even more pixelation than the bottle earlier this year, it gets another precision point in my score. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is surprisingly reticent at this stage, almost shockingly so. I imagine that won't be an issue in time. If anything, I am quite struck by the wine's energy and drive. Dark-fleshed fruit, spice, mint, lavender and new oak build in the glass. From barrel, the Ducru was opulent and sensual, but it appears to be going through a closed phase at the moment. Decanting helps, but I would not be in any rush to drink this. The 2018 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak. 96+

Wine Advocate

98

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, aged 18 months in 100% new barriques. It has a pH of 3.7, 14.5% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 95. Deep purple-black colored, it has a powerful nose of baked black cherries, blackberry preserves and crème de cassis with nuances of menthol, pencil lead, cedar chest and Indian spices, plus fragrant wafts of violets and licorice emerging after a few minutes. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with impactful black fruits and exotic spices layers, supported by firm, ripe grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. There is a brightness to the wine—surprising freshness—and yet it remains very rich and hedonic, presenting an extraordinary vinous paradox that will blow away fans of this great estate.

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

The Grand Vin 2018 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou checks in as 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was harvested at the end of September through October 10 and brought up all in new French oak. This is a gorgeous, incredibly complete, classic expression of this terroir, offering a heavenly nose of crème de cassis, cedarwood, unsmoked tobacco, new leather, spring flowers, chocolate, and a touch of chalky minerality. With full-bodied richness, a monster of a mid-palate, remarkable purity, and a great, great finish, it's one of the most concentrated, impressive wines of the vintage, and might also be one of the longest lived. It actually reminds me of an improved version of the 1996 or a hypothetical mix of the 2010 and 2016. For the tech geeks out there, the IPT checks in at a massive 95 and the pH is 3.7.

The Wine Cellar Insider

99

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Intensely colored, the wine is completely opaque. The next thing you notice is the aromatics which pop thanks to the array of flowers, black and dark red fruits, forest floor, espresso, wet earth, tobacco leaf and bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated, rich, deep, opulent, fresh and intense, the wine coats your palate and sticks with you. This is a good thing because it is difficult not to want more of all those sweet, ripe, luscious fruits. The purity, symmetry and length keep on going for close to 60 seconds! Give it at least 12-15 years to age and it could hit the triple digit mark! The wine blends 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot, 14.5% ABV. The Grand Vin was made from only 35% of the harvest.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

Compared to the Second Wine, the 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou clearly displays more new oak on the nose, which is to be expected given that it was entirely aged in new wood. The bouquet is very intense, particularly after 3–4 hours of opening (like many 2018s), offering copious scents of blackberries, blueberry, mint and violet, all while maintaining excellent delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that render the texture velvety-smooth and polished. There is a surfeit of exceedingly pure black fruits laced with cedar and mint bound up in this Saint-Julien. The finish is serene but very persistent. This will be a seductive and sophisticated Ducru-Beaucaillou that deserves several years in bottle.

Falstaff

98

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart tabakig unterlegter Edelholzhauch, schwarze Waldbeeren, Nuancen von Lakritze, Anklang von dunklen Kirschen, süße Gewürze im Hintergrund. Komplex, feines Cassis, Brombeerkonfit, saftig-seidige Tannine, frisch strukturiert, extraktsüß und mineralisch im Abgang, verfügt über Harmonie und große Länge, feinwürzig-pfeffriger Nachhall, sicheres Reifepotenzial. (2025 -2065)

Yvesbeck.wine

92

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Rouge grenat dense. Bouquet complexe. En bouche le vin est dense, crémeux, racé. Les tannins assument la puissance en l'alliant à la race. Tannins élégants, bien intégrés. Un vin qui ouvre la voie au grand vin.

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe1/26/2021

Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, new leather and bark follow through to a full body with a dense, deep palate that goes on and on, but is still shy and reserved. Large amount of ultra fine, cashmere-like tannins that are silky, sleek and wonderfully integrated. Extremely long and focused. Needs at least four to five years to start opening. A beautiful wine for the cellar. Try after 2027.

Decanter Magazine

97

byJane Ansonthe11/10/2020

Stunning concentration, power and finesse, with a ton of chocolate, charcoal, slate and liquorice, set against sweet blueberries, damson and cassis. This is silky and polished, with a ton of layers and complexity. With 18 months' ageing in 100% new oak, this has delivered on its en primeur potential, but still needs a good decade in bottle.

Drinking Window 2028 - 2044

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is currently halfway through its barrel maturation, the usual 18 months in 100% new French oak. It was picked from 25 September until 10 October. The bouquet is very intense and needs a lot of coaxing from the glass - more so than previous vintages. It eventually, almost reluctantly reveals tightly-wound black fruit laced with violet petals and touches of wild mint. It feels quite Margaux-like. The palate is silky smooth on the entry with layers of black fruit infused with graphite and minerals, a crescendo of flavours towards the powerful and quite grippy finish. Compared to the Croix de Beaucaillou, I find the alcohol more contained (14.5%), and it delivers lovely spicy notes that tingle on the tongue after the wine has departed. It will need at least a decade in bottle.

WeinWisser

19,5

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

95-98

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a wine of pure and total sensual beauty. Layers of intense fruit nearly cover the massive tannins that lurk beneath. Sweet floral notes, spice, mint, lavender and rose petals all grace a sublime Ducru that is long on class and character. In most recent vintages, Ducru has been a tannic behemoth, but the 2018 is remarkably silky, sumptuous and nuanced. In 2018, Ducru is not an obvious wine, but it is exceptionally beautiful. The 2018 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. New oak is 100%. Tasted two times.

Vinifera

96-98

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Très coloré. Grande noblesse d'expression au niveau aromatique avec des notes de cèdre, de fruits noirs. L'entrée en bouche est dense, précise. le développement est continu et articulé autour d'une trame à l'allure presque janséniste. Un vin ''sérieux comme le plaisir'', velouté, evec un très beau grain de tanin, juteux, d'une grande finesse.    

Decanter.com

97

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2019

Extremely complex, this is tight and holds on with an initial austerity. The plentiful tannins layer up right through the palate, but they are sandwiched by gorgeous blackberry and cassis fruits. There's an inkiness and a spice box feel here, with notes of dried herbs, black olive tapenade and graphite, all generously present. 
The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more the flesh of the fruit takes precedence and yet the wine manages to also convey a St-Julien classicism. This has all the elements to age exceptionally well, and to give great pleasure along the way. Harvested 19 September to 10 October. 3.7pH. 95IPT. 100% new oak

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Pitch black in color, the wine explodes in the glass with flowers, black fruits, wet earth, rocks, stones and a vintage cigar box from the Hotel Monte Carlo. The depth of fruit and flavor is surreal. The wine has authority. Baskets of red and black pit fruit drench your palate, staining your teeth. It is refined, well-designed and dances on air. This is a contender for the best vintage ever produced at Ducru and that is really saying something considering the incredible run of vintages produced here since 2005. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, reaching 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.7 and is aging in 100% new, French oak barrels for about 18 months. The harvest took place September 28-October 10. The Grand Vin was made from only 35% of the harvest.

Wine Advocate

97-99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, to be aged 18 months in 100% new barriques. It has a pH of 3.7, 14.5% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 95. Very deep purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with flamboyant, showy scents of cinnamon stick, wilted roses, star anise, fallen leaves and Ceylon tea with a core of blackcurrant cordial, black cherry compote, violets, chocolate mint and espresso plus a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, opulent and decadently fruited with layer upon layer of black/blue fruit and floral nuances, it has an exquisitely ripe, fine-grained frame and fantastic freshness supporting the multifaceted, beguiling fruit, finishing with tons of fragrant flowers and mineral sparks. At once beautifully elegant and wonderfully bold. About 7,000 cases of the grand vin will be produced, really focusing on the area around the estate.

Wine Enthusiast

96-98

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This is a powerful wine that shows big tannins and great concentration that are matched with intense acidity. The result is a magnificent wine with the dense fruit flavor and bold structure that will lend well to aging.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is so layered and beautiful with incredible tannin quality. Full-bodied with a caressing texture that reminds me of the finest cashmere. So layered. You want to swallow this. Brings a smile to the face. Wow. So well crafted.

Wine Spectator

96-99

byJames Molesworththe3/28/2019

Another rock 'em sock 'em St.-Julien here, brimming with nearly exotic blackberry, plum, blueberry and açaí berry reduction notes, bristling with brambly energy and racing through a graphite-edged finish. Shows gorgeous perfume throughout, despite the fairly obvious level of concentration.