Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2023

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Extremely perfumed, with violets, lavender, black currants, blueberries and light orange peel. Hints of lead pencil. It's medium-bodied and so poised, showing ultrafine, polished tannins. Seductive and caressing, with a long, seamless finish. A blend of 85% cabernet sauvignon and 15% merlot. So delicious now but better after 2018. Drink or hold.

My Bettane + Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Très puissant et intense, avec dans ce millésime de la force et de la profondeur dans le tannin qui en impose de manière magistrale, en attendant ses habituelles nuances de cèdre. Grand avenir.

Yvesbeck.wine

98-100

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Während sich Frische und Frucht wie ein roter Faden durch alle Weine von Bruno Borie ziehen, verfehlt das Bouquet von Ducru nicht, diese Logik durch Tiefe, Authentizität und Komplexität zu ergänzen. Die Symbiose zwischen der Frische des Cabernet und der reifen Seite des Merlot ist nicht nur begeisternd, sondern auch überzeugend. Ducru kündigt sich mit Charisma an, mit mehr oder weniger Gelassenheit. Er weiß, wer er ist, aber er muss uns das noch bewusst machen. Am Gaumen positioniert sich der Wein feinfühlig, zeigt aber gleichzeitig seine Kraft und seine Persönlichkeit. Er profitiert von der bedingungslosen Unterstützung seiner cremigen, präzisen und subtil herben Tannine. Ein kerniger Wein, vielleicht ein wenig straffer als üblich, aber so sehr Médocain! Hier ist kein Platz für Zweifel, und selbst wenn sein Schatten über dem Nest von Ducru 2023 schweben könnte, dann würde er rasch von der Größe des Weins neutralisiert werden. Die Zeit lässt alle Phasen eines Lebens sichtbar werden; hier steht man erst am Anfang einer sehr langen Reise eines der größten Weine von St-Julien, bzw. von Bordeaux. Ist es nicht gesund, sich an die Bedeutung der Zeit zu erinnern, dieses kostbare Gut, das wir ständig zu komprimieren versuchen? Grösse ist oft unveränderlich, aber man muss sie pflegen. Genau das tun Bruno Borie und seine Teams. Jeden Tag. Unveränderlich. Ein sehr, sehr großer Ducru-Beaucaillou.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

As to the Grand Vin, the 2023 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou brings everything up a level, offering a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and crushed stone. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, pure, incredibly elegant Ducru that has ample mid-palate depth, building tannins, and a great spine of acidity. It’s another gorgeous wine from this chateau that plays in the style of the 2010, 2016, and 2020. The 2023 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, again in new barrels, and it hit 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.7, and an IPT of 89. It will have 50+ years of longevity.

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/7/2024

Lovely vibrant purple colour in the glass. Smells fragrant and lifted, a combination of sweet and ripe and fresh blackcurrant and black cherries on the nose with a touch of dark chocolate. Smooth and so silky, but rich too, there’s depth and weight but not too much. I love the texture - grippy and filling no doubt, it coats the mouth with a crushed velvet texture, you feel the ripeness but there’s such lift and effortless purity of fruit that it feels fresh too. No extra fat, but equally it’s not too lean, not strict at all, where many are. Not hollow, not light, there’s no let up. Juicy cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry with lots of liquorice on the finish. Feels well crafted. Maybe not as immediately moreish as some, but this is really well made. Feels elegant and stylish.7pH. 89 IPT. Ageing 18 months, 100% new oak. 12% press.

The Wine Independent

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

Deep garnet-purple in color, 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. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, with pH 3.70 and TPI 89.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Saffron, licorice, turmeric, espresso, black cherries, blackberries, mint, and flowers create the perfume. The palate is vibrant, fresh, elegant, concentrated focused. The fruits are ripe, clean, and pure, with a racy, freshness. But, the wine is not overly bright, instead, it is silky, succulent, finesse-oriented, and elegant. The finish holds your attention for close to 50 seconds. The key to the success of the vintage at Ducru was finding the exact moment to pick. Ducru Beaucaillou continues its unstoppable roll of fabulous vintages. Produced from blending 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% Merlot, 13% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place from September 8 -- October 3. Drink from 2028-2065. 96-98 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

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. 41hl/h yield, 100% new oak, with long seasoning of up to five years, nine different coopers.

Vinous

95-97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

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 emphasizes textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling.

Vinous

94-96

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 100% new oak for a planned 18 months, has a less forceful bouquet than the 2022 last year and, consequently, shows more refinement and poise. The scents don't come barging out of the blocks, but they creep up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry. Showing moderate depth, it’s quite linear in style and grippy. A faint touch of bell pepper emerges on the classically styled finish that reminds me of some of the old vintages of Ducru-Beaucaillou. This is the strictest vintage I have encountered in some time.

Alexandre Ma

96-97

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

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, like licking a stone. Energetic. 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot.