(93+ points) Medium brick colored, the 1999 Ducru-Beaucaillou needs a little swirling to release the tightly coiled notions of dried cherries, fruitcake and red currant jelly with emerging hints of balsamic, mincemeat pie, menthol, powdered chocolate and star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully expressive with seamless freshness lightly lifting a great core of youthful red and black fruits plus fine-grained tannins to support, finishing with lingering savory and spice layers. This well-structured spice-bomb still has a lot of years left! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Served at the Ducru offline in London, the ’99 is a Saint Julien that over-achieves in this mediocre growing season. Although it is slightly muffled on the nose at first, its opens up nicely with red-berried fruit, sandalwood, leather, cedar and a touch of spice. Good vigour and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, gentle grip, almost Burgundian in texture thanks to its lovely, fleshy finish although that does not detract from its structure. This is a lovely, caressing ’99 in context of the vintage, one for medium-term drinking. Drink now-2018.

I love the aromas of chocolate, walnut, dark berries and flowers. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. The mouthfeel is wonderful. Really silky. Just coming around now. Yes.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 17,500 cases made. –JS

Medium bodied, this lighter, finesse style of Ducru Beaucaillou is dominated by spicy, red berries, freshness, tobacco, herbs and earth. Already close to fully mature, drink this over the next decade, as it's not a wine that was produced to make old bones. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1999&wine=Chateau%20Ducru-Beaucaillou