Château Ducru Beaucaillou, 2eme Cru Classé, St Julien, 2013
Bruno Borie never compromises on quality. Ducru Beaucaillou has gone to extraordinary lengths to produce a very smart 2013. In the vintage report, it would seem that the winemaking team have heeded advice from the Pointer Sisters and have taken a very 'gentle' approach. There are no comparisons with R&B stars or Hollywood actresses this year; the 2013 is a gourmand wine intended for the top tables around the globe. It is crafted from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from miniscule yields of 20hl/ha. Very perfumed. There is a beautiful, fragrant bouquet of sweet cherry fruit, griotte liqueur, flowers and graphite. There is wonderfull texture with waves of decadent fruit; sumptuous and refined with a hint of clove and spice. A very smart, precise wine.
critic reviews
The 2013 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, is medium garnet in color. It skips out of the glass with bright, vivacious notes of raspberry preserves, dried mulberries and stewed cherries, followed by wafts of lavender, cinnamon stick, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and vivacious, with impressive intensity of red berry and floral notes supported by soft tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and lifted.
Softly-spoken in its tannic architecture, the sweet smoky oak is more evident than in the more powerful vintages, and this is ready to drink, almost unheard of for a 10 year old Ducru. Having said that, the blue fruit character is still delivering, and the flavours are drawn out by mouthwatering salinity on the finish. The finesse of St Julien wins the day in the end. Harvest September 26 to Octber 9, Eric Boissenot consultant. 80% new oak.
The 2013 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a straightforward, blackberry, mulch and balsamic-tinged bouquet that has a difficult time following the likes of 2014 and 2017. It feels a little one-dimensional by comparison. The palate is medium-bodied with simple black and red fruit, modest acidity, lightly spiced towards the finish. A pleasant Saint-Julien for sure, but it comes across as if the DNA of Ducru-Beaucaillou is fading with bottle age, a common trait amongst wines in this infamous growing season. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.
product details
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