2014 Ducru Beaucaillou
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2014 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a stronger performer than many of its peers in this vintage. Extremely well-defined on the nose, this exudes a sense of classicism, black fruit mixed with loam, autumn leaves and a whiff of the nearby estuary. The palate is medium-bodied with black fruit laced with spices, marmalade and cedar, binding together nicely towards the finish, which has a sense of control and impressive length. Excellent, though the bottle tasted blind at Southwold felt a little harder.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Garnet with black core. Sweet, ripe blackcurrants. Just a touch charry with a contrast of oak sweetness. Firm, deliciously dry and refined in its tannins. Fresh, harmonious and long and, I estimate, a long life ahead. (JH)
Here we see the potential of 2014 in the right hands, and this stands out from its neighbours in northern Médoc, one to note down and look out for. Silky tannins, a ton of cocoa bean, bitter chocolate and espresso, blueberry and cassis fruits, along with turmeric, liqourice and clove spice. Perfectly-pitched acidity that softens into capuccinno creaminess though the mid palate followed by a juicy signoff. Slow build, just delicious. 100% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant, Virginie Sallette technical director.
The 2014 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is show-stopping stuff, and it goes a long way toward proving how successful the northern parts of the Médoc were in this vintage. Lots of cassis, graphite, smoked tobacco, and damp earth define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered, concentrated mouthfeel, building tannins, and incredible length on the finish. It’s going to evolve for 30 to 40 years – and be drinkable for just about all of it!
About the producer
Second Growth estate Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien is one of the Super Seconds, an elite group of properties producing wines that regularly compete with the finest in the Médoc.