CHÂTEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU

2003 2ème Cru Classé Saint Julien

Grapes Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Saint Julien
Classification 2ème Cru Classé
ABV 13.5%

The Bories have sorted out their succession so that Bruno and his sister have taken control of Ducru, while Xavier, who has been running Ducru, Haut Batailley and Grand Puy Lacoste, has retained control of the other two. Ducru is a big, much chewier wine than usual, as are many in this vintage. There is a taut tannic structure and a concentrated density which is nearly minty. A huge mouthfilling wine with masses of very present tannins giving a giant, dense, fruity, pain d'épices length. It gives a powerful impression of vigorous youth, tasting as though it had only just finished its fermentation. Very impressive. L&S (Mar 2005)


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The 2003 Ducru-Beaucaillou, picked 15-25 September and matured in 90% new oak, has a ripe and opulent bouquet with lavish black fruit, fresh fig, dates and a touch of liquorice, though here is no sense of over-maturity here. It is fresher than a lot of ‘03s that I have recently tasted. The palate is well balanced with supple, rounded tannins. There is a real candied essence to this Ducru-Beaucaillou, with quite a pronounced liquorice finish that you want to go back to. This is ageing well - one of the better wines of this infamous growing season. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. Drinking range: 2021 - 2040 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2022)

A hot, dry summer resulted in a tiny production of under 10,000 cases of 2003 Ducru Beaucaillou from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare. This beauty boasts a deep plum/ruby/purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge. Aromas of licorice, creme de cassis, incense and spring flowers are followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine with loads of fruit and glycerin as well as a plush texture. It is just entering its plateau of maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years. 2014-2029 Rating: 94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)

Pencil shavings and interest. Density. Interest and no exaggerations. Dryish finish but not uncomfortably so. Very appetising. 2010-2019 Rating: 17 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Oct 2011)

Château Ducru Beaucaillou

St Julien Deuxième cru 1855 When the Beychevelle estate was broken up in 1642, in order to pay off the debts of the deceased owner, it gave birth to three Châteaux - Beychevelle, Branaire-Ducru and Ducru-Beaucaillou. Château Ducru Beaucaillou was so named because of the quality lent to the wine by the large pebbles in the soil - the "good pebbles" being "beau caillou" (although it was originally "Maucaillou", "bad pebbles" not being much use for any other kind of agriculture). In 1795, the estate was purchased by Bertrand Ducru, and the name was complete. The early years on the 20th Century were not kind to Ducru-Beaucaillou, but salvation was on hand with its purchase by Francis Borie in 1941. Apart from some problems with TCA during the late 1980's, the tenure of the Borie family has been a time of continuing improvement at Ducru-Beaucaillou. Today, Francis' grandson Bruno Borie heads up the estate. The Borie family also own Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Château Haut Batailley. The 75ha of vineyard are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot have, apparently, left the blend. The Grand Vin spends 18 to 20 months in wood, with the proportion of new wood varying between vintages. A second wine was introduced in 1995 - La Croix de Beaucaillou. Also produced at Ducru-Beaucaillou is Château Lalande-Borie from vineyard purchased from Château Lagrange in 1970 which, although it could perfectly legally be absorbed into Château Ducru Beaucaillou, has always been produced as a seperate wine.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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