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Ch Ducru Beaucaillou is firmly established as one of the great ‘Super Seconds’ and quintessentially St Julien. Neal Martin says, “Bruno Borie has a 2015 with backbone, with longevity in mind”. We think the hype behind this wine is truly justified, “quite simply stunning” and “outstanding” were the words of our own David Roberts MW.
This wine has been on stellar form in recent vintages, and much of that is down to just how little fruit makes the grade and is selected for the Grand Vin. There is always power behind Bruno’s wines, but there is also clear structure, balance and freshness, which will make this wine one of the greats. Bruno now makes more Croix de Beaucaillou (the second wine) than Ducru Beaucaillou itself and production of the Grand Vin has almost halved since the 1990s.
Ch Ducru Beaucaillou 2ème Cru St Julien 2015
£1,272 per 12 bottles IB
£1,282 per 6 magnums (150cl) IB
At times proprietor Bruno Borie can be accused of over-enthusiastically hyping his wines, but in 2015 he should rightly be singing from the rooftops. This is quite simply stunning. Shining dark cassis colour, these fruits jump out of the glass. A wine which balances great intensity with a delicious layered ripe tannic structure. It has a strong central palate and is upliftingly fresh at the end. Outstanding. Drink 2023-2040. Goedhuis, Score: 96-98
The 2015 Ducru Beaucaillou has a relatively opulent bouquet for Saint Julien, with ripe black plum mixed with blackberry and cranberry, very well defined and neatly interwoven with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly savory opening, gently but insistently gripping the mouth. It feels dense and structured with a subtle marine-like note towards the linear, black olive-tinged finish. Bruno Borie has a 2015 with backbone, with longevity in mind. I suspect this will require a decade for the tannins to soften and continue the purple patch for this grand estate. Neal Martin, Score: 94-96
The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou offers notable depth, power and richness. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, but it is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. Smoke, tobacco, charcoal, leather and dark stone fruits give the 2015 much of its brooding, tightly wound personality. A wine of pedigree and exceptional class, the 2015 Ducru is structured yet also spherical in texture, with terrific balance and tons of style. The 2015 is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Antonio Galloni, Score: 94-96
There is considerable power and weight here with some seriously lush black fruit and lots of green flashes and highlights among the massive oak intensity and relentless drive of flavour. There is no excess in any department, but the combi¬nation of the elements is integrated beautifully and with stylish touches of spice and detail this is a wine which will live for a very long time.
Matthew Jukes, Score: 18++
Extraordinary blend of finesse and depth from 95% Cabernet. A wine with a taffeta texture that enhances the extreme purity and depth of fruit. Hard to imagine a better balanced, more vineyard-expressive wine. Decanter, Score: 96