Magnum Château Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2004

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/1/2014

Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 2004 horizontal tasting. The Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2004 has a clean and crisp bouquet with pretty floral scents infusing the blackcurrant and cedar aromas. It is quite Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, good depth of flavour with a vibrant, spicy finish that is direct and joyous - that sorbet-like freshness still present and correct. Tasted March 2014.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Deep ruby-red. Reticent nose hints at violet, menthol and spicy oak. Sweet and lush on entry, then broad and classically dry in the middle, with slightly edgy acidity currently dominating the wine's precise berry and licorice flavors. Finishes with serious, broad tannins that reach the incisors. This is long but the 2006 is longer. 90 (+?)

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe7/2/2007

One can’t say enough about the efforts Bruno Borie is pouring into this wonderful estate that I have often called the “Lafite Rothschild of St.-Julien.” An undeniable success, the 2004 Ducru boasts sweet aromas of creme de cassis, spring flowers, pain grille, licorice, and road tar. This pure, medium-bodied wine possesses moderately high tannin, superb concentration, good sweetness, and low acidity. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25 years. Also tasted: 2004 Croix de Beaucaillou

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2007

Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberry and currant. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is a Ducru with reserve and lots of finesse. Best after 2011. 15,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2006

Ducru’s 2004 continues to demonstrate the upgrade in quality that has been achieved since Madame Borie’s eldest son, Bruno, took over the estate’s management. Made in a fresh, zesty, crisp style, it possesses a deep ruby/purple color in addition to scents of flowers, minerals, raspberries, and cherries. Ripe for a 2004, with medium body, moderate tannin, and admirable freshness as well as definition, this is a very deep and concentrated 2004 that should be drinkable between 2008-2018.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/3/2005

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2005

There is no question that since Bruno Borie took over the running of Ducru Beaucaillou with the 2003 vintage, he has quickly turned heads with the quality that has emerged. As the brilliant 2003 (the finest Ducru since 1982) evidenced, he is pushing for higher and higher ripeness. In 2004, he has again hit pay dirt. Approximately 40% of the crop made it into this blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. While not quite as big as the 2003, the 2004 is a candidate for one of the finest wines of St.-Julien. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of flowers, raspberries, black currants, spice, and earth. It boasts great fruit, more texture and body than most 2004s, and a precise finish revealing tremendous purity as well as depth. This beauty should drink well within 2-3 years, and last for two decades.

TAST

18.50 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/28/2005

Echantillon goûté au château, sous la surveillance (discrète) des propriétaires ce qui n'est pas l'avantage qu'on croit car nous sommes dans ce cas encore plus libre de notre jugement. Mais même en recherchant la plus petite imperfection il faut se rendre à l'évidence : ce ducru 2004 est une réussite magistrale avec une définition quasi holographique de la noble aromatique du cabernet sur les terres qui lui conviennent le plus. Mais outre le raffinement des arômes de cèdre, il y a derrière une densité de sève que le cru n'avait jamais retrouvé depuis le 1970 et sans doute encore supérieure à celle de ce millésime. Dans le même esprit que Lafite ou Léoville-Las-Cases et aussi précieux qu'eux. Le second vin la Croix de Borie mérite aussi les plus vifs éloges.

Carnets de dégustation RVF

8.50 / 10

the4/22/2005

77% cabernet-sauvignon, 23% merlot. 70% de bois neuf. Paré d'une robe très noire, profonde, le vin développe un splendide nez de myrtille et de mûre. La bouche dense et droite possède une grande rigueur tannique, mais le merlot, encore un peu accrocheur, enrobe le tout. D'une belle maturité de fruit, il offre une incroyable longueur. Pas encore harmonieux, il lui faudra un peu de temps. Enorme potentiel.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2005

Really fresh and long. Full-bodied, yet balanced and silky. Lots of Cabernet character, with currants and earth. Beautiful. Refined yet muscular. This is a big improvement, like the 2003, Lets'wait and see. Ducru is going places.