Bordeaux 2024: Château Ducru Beaucaillou

Bruno Borie and his team pulled out all the stops in 2024. Lots of hard graft and a draconian selection has resulted in one of the most concentrated and powerful wines of the vintage. It’s evident from the opaque colour and boisterous fruit on the nose that this is a profound effort with an atypical opulence in this lighter year. On the palate that comes across well, with bold and fleshy dark fruit, which is at once grown-up and rather charming, a more classical interpretation of Ducru. Furthermore, it has been released at £528 per 6, less than half the price of the 2022 release and considerably cheaper than any available physical vintage.

“A gorgeously vivid, lifted nose, with floral aromatics, dark berry and cassis fruits, fleshy but understated, elegant and finessed, squid ink, sandalwood, incense, maintains estate signature and is full of pleasure, 100% new oak for ageing, 3.8 pH. Harvest 23 September to 7 October.” 95/100 – Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com

“The 2024 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a sleek, elegant wine. Silky tannins give the 2024 its distinctly mid-weight, lithe personality. Readers will find a gracious Ducru built more on persistence and nervy tension than size or opulence. Blue/black fruits, lavender, cloves, menthol and chocolate open over time. It will be fascinating to see how this ages. 2034 – 2054.” 94-96/100 – Antonio Galloni, vinous.com

“Deep garnet-purple in color. Strides out with classic notes of crushed black currants, fresh black plums, and pencil shavings, plus hints of violets, licorice, and black olives with a touch of menthol. The medium-bodied palate delivers a firm frame of grainy tannins and well-knit freshness to support the blackberry flavors and spicy undertones, finishing on a lingering anise note. 86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, to be aged for 18 months, 100% new. pH 3.8, IPT 87.” 94-96/100 – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent