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Colour
Red
Vintage
2010
Producer
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Sub Region
St Julien
Product code
23DUC1I2010
Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot
Tasting Notes
Robert Parker
Score: 96-98+ Robert Parker2010 Ducru Beaucaillou: Representing 45% of their total production, the 2010 Ducru will certainly compete with the efforts produced in 2009, 2008, and 2005. It hit 14% natural alcohol, compared to 13.5% in 2009 and 2008. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the wine has a surprisingly lower pH (3.62) than the 2009, or the 2005 for that matter. A truly remarkable wine, with a dense purple color and a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers and crushed rock, this full-bodied, sensationally concentrated wine has massive richness, high but very sweet tannin, and stunning purity and depth. Proprietor Bruno Borie seems to have pulled out all the stops in turning out an absolutely compelling effort that is the essence of Ducru Beaucaillou. It should drink well for 30-40 years.
Jancis Robinson
Score: 17 / 20Since 2005 it is no longer a second wine but from a plot in the centre of the appellation with less estuarine influence. Very deep crimson. Deep crimson. Very rich and round. Suave and convincing. Lots of life and masses of fruit.
Bibendum
Score: 18 / 2090% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. Ducru 2010 is likely to divide opinion among tasters. It certainly divided our team. Its fans point to the silky tannins, wonderfully pure black fruit and elegant finish as evidence that this is the best Ducru ever. Its detractors argue that is a bit too polished and suave for its own good; that it lacks a slight sense of terroir and some classic Bordeaux steel. Both have a case, although it is doubtful that anyone will sniff at this if a bottle appears on the dinner table in ten years' time.
James Suckling
Score: 99-100 / 100I can't believe the precision and complexity in this wine. This is really amazing with minerals, berries, currants and blackberries. Full and extraordinary. It goes on and on and on. Tasted twice. Best ever from Ducru.
Producer Information
Back in the 17th Century Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and Chateau Branaire Ducru were part of Chateau Beychevelle. The estate was then partly sold off and the name Ducru Beaucaillou came into existence with the ownership of Bertrand Ducru in 1795. 'Beaucaillou' is translated as 'beautiful pebble'. High quality demanded high prices, and the estate was consequently ranked Deuxieme Cru Classe (Second Growth Bordeaux). The immensely grand chateau was constructed around the same time in the 1850s and the wine ranks alongside Chateaux Leoville Barton, Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Poyferre and Gruaud Larose in the prestigious group of second growths in the left bank commune of St Julien.
The property is a notable landmark; with the vineyards running almost all the way down to the river Gironde. There is a huge 215 hectares in total, a second wine called La Croix de Beaucaillou was introduced in 1995. The wine known as Lalande Borie is also made from these vineyards but as a different wine entirely. The vines are 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 40 years. Many consider Ducru Beaucaillou to be their 'desert island claret' owing to its elegance and quality, plus in the context of inferior vintages it is often Ducru Beaucaillou that comes out on top against the other St Julien Second Growths.
