2019 Ducru Beaucaillou
Buying options
Tasting notes
Fantastic intensity and focus to the aromas from dried tobacco, floral lift (dried rose), lots of clove spice and brooding black fruits, its explosive. The palate is deceptively supple, generous, fleshy – deceptive because the concentration of tannins is unbelievable yet fine and fully resolved, creating a layering velvet texture and at the same time, directional, focussed density. The fruit on the palate is more opulent, ripe cassis, blue fruit, black plum – it displays across the fruit spectrum, but there is some mineral underpinning too. The finish is incredible, all the fruit, the layered textures and perfumes fan out on the finish and the long sustain shows exceptional balance. This is rich, ripe and powerful, but restraint enough to hold tension too. Opulent and elegant is a balance difficult to achieve but it is done beautifully here.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Following the 2018 (and tasted next to the 2020), the 2019 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou comes across as more refined and elegant, with a straight, focused, still full-bodied profile that has pure cassis and blue-tinged fruits as well as textbook tobacco leaf, violets, and graphite. It’s a regal, refined, aristocratic Ducru Beaucaillou that has ultra-fine tannins and a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and while it’s seriously concentrated, it stays graceful and light on its feet. It’s closed down slightly since release, so this beauty needs a solid 7-8 years in the cellar.
' Mild winter/spring conditions prompted early budburst. Cooler temperatures in April and May delayed flowering, though a rise in temperatures in mid June resulted in a successful fruit set. Summer was hot, with temperatures higher than average from 23 June 23 through to October giving small, concentrated berries. Late July brought welcomed rains, rejuvenated the vines. August and September saw light rains and cooler night temperatures, which helped to retain acidity and prolong the ripening phase.' Harvest: 20 September – 10 October. 80% Cabernet, 20% Merlot. 18 months in new French oak. Black core. So much more fragrant than the 2018. More pure fruit and dark elegance. The tannins are not as velvety but they are superfine even if they are holding everything to ransom at the moment. Lovely freshness. (JH)
If you like your St Juliens with finesse and balance, head to the 2019 vintage of Ducru, with its gorgeous slate, pencil lead, cigar box, cassis, bilberry, and mint leaf focus. This has tension and restrained tannic architecture, and yet opens up mid palate to allow the fruit to show its creamy side. Such clever construction, and hard to resist. Harvest September 20 to October 10. 3.8ph, 100% new oak. Emmanuel Bonneau technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.
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.