Ducru Beaucaillou 2004

St Julien, Second Growth

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60 75cl Bottle Case 12 £1,440 per Case Cases [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

Served at the Ducru offline in London, the Ducru ’04 has a deep garnet core. The nose is reticent at first, opening slowing to reveal dark red-berried fruit, raspberry, cedar and crushed stones. Then with aeration, it blossoms a little more with touches of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied, sensuous in texture although the tannins are what you might describe as 'fluffy', denuding the wine of the delineation of other vintages. The finish is still very linear and foursquare, the new oak not quite in synch with the fruit. Not bad, but not in the top flight of ‘04s. Drink 2012-2020. Tasted September 2009.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2020 01 July 2010

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.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2034 01 June 2007

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.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2018 01 June 2006

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+ points)

Score: 90

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 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.

Score: 92

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 31 March 2007

Meaty, sweet nose. Not very St Julien at all - a bit more exaggerated and fleshy than traditional. Big, bold and a bit of a formless blob. Exaggerated acidity. As though the wine were concentrated even. Not integrated. I must say I don’t like this new style. It seems to bear little relation to Ducru style. Very, very dry tannins on the finish.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2030 18 August 2005