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Goedhuis, March 2018
This had a brilliant ruby luster, still so youthful in appearance. Its aromas suggest a thick-skinned concentration to the fruit of 2005. The palate has a sinewy, brawny strength with tremendous depth to its deeply fruited cassis character, showing exceptional minerality.
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Goedhuis, April 2006, Score: 94-96
Instantly recognisable by its sunny Mediterranean-hued label, Ducru Beaucaillou is always a favourite. Owned by the Borie family over the last 60 years, it has been run by Bruno, the eldest son of the late Jean-Eugène, since 2003. This change in leadership seems to have had a highly positive effect - both 2003 and 2004 won over Robert Parker who described the 2003 as "the best since 1982" and the 2004 as "a candidate for one of the finest wines of St.-Julien".The 2005 may leave both of them in the dust. Rich with beautiful aromatics of blood orange, red currants and cranberry, this full-bodied wine has impeccable concentration and fantastic balance between its crunchy fruit texture and velvety tannins. Definitely one not to overlook. Outstanding.Drink 2018-2040
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Neal Martin, June 2021, Score: 95
The 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou, tasted a dozen times since en primeur, was picked 21 September to 6 October, matured in 90% new oak for 18 months. It delivers a wall of black fruit on the nose that gradually opens up with aeration, touches of incense and wild mint, cedar coming through with time. But these aromatics remain very backward. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grippy tannins, fine acidity, solid and focused. Tremendously and uncompromisingly backward, this is a seriously fine Ducru-Beaucaillou that is just not yet ready, so go back to the cellar and leave it there for another five years. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. 2026-2060
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Robert Parker, August 2020, Score: 97
Deep garnet colored, the 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou needs a little coaxing before slipping sensuously out of the glass with the most alluring perfume of red roses, kirsch, star anise, cardamom and fragrant earth over a core of blackcurrant pastilles, blackberry preserves and warm plums plus a touch of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a wonderfully taut, tightly knit frame of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the densely packed fruit, finishing long and perfumed. 2020-2048
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Robert Parker, April 2008, Score: 97
The 2005 Ducru Beaucaillou is a 10,000-case blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot (they used to produce 18,000-20,000 cases). It is an exceptionally powerful wine with a dense purple color, superb intensity, and a beautiful, sweet nose of spring flowers, raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied with fabulous concentration, exceptionally high tannin, good acidity, and massive layers of richness that build incrementally on the palate, this monumental effort is more structured than their outstanding 2003. It may be the finest wine produced at this estate since the 1982 and 1961 Ducrus. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050.
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Robert Parker, April 2007, Score: 95-97
Another St.-Julien that has put on significant weight since I tasted it last year, Bruno Borie'sblend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot (10,000 cases rather than the typical 18,000-20,000) is a powerful effort boasting 13.6% alcohol. Its inky/purple color is followed by an extraordinary nose of violets, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Full-bodied with fabulous intensity, great acidity, and huge tannins, it is an amazingly vivid, full-bodied wine with monster levels of richness and tannin. Although made in a totally different style, it ranks alongside the monumental 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.
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Robert Parker, April 2006, Score: 92-94
Bruno Borie has done a fabulous job at Ducru Beaucaillou. The 2003 may be the greatest Ducru produced in the last 3-4 decades, and the 2005 is not far behind. A more backward style of wine with higher tannin, more elevated acids, and extremely high alcohol (13.6%) for this estate, its inky/purple color is followed by notes of sweet cassis and plums intermixed with licorice, crushed rocks, and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied and structured with a whoppingly long finish, it needs 8-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030+. It is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot.
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Jancis Robinson, October 2015, Score: 18+
Very closed, rich nose with seriously powerful underlying aroma. All dark fruit. Monumentally backward. On the palate, there is Napa-level heft, with marked acid but (unlike the 2009) great cohesion and balance. By far the longest finish in its flight. If the modern tendency is for flatteringly early-drinking wines, there is nothing modern about this, despite its polish and power. (AH) Drink 2020-2040
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Jancis Robinson, April 06, Score: 18
More Merlot this year (33 per cent) than usual. Dark, brooding purple crimson. Spicy, almost brûlée nose. Lots of acidity - very pronounced. Very dry tannins on the finish too, so a wine for the very long term. Dry, rather Las Cases-like! Should not be touched for ages. Much more brutal than the Latour tasted immediately before it, even though convention would dictate that the Pauillac would be more long term than the St-Julien. Very intense. There are many wines this dry on the finish but not many with the intensity of fruit to support the tannins. Drink 2018-30.
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Wine Spectator, April 2006, Score: 95-100
Intense exotic aromas of crushed blackberries, lilacs and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and big, silky tannins. This is extremely layered, with a polished caressing texture. Long, long finish. Builds on the palate. Will it be better than 2003? Time will tell.
