The 2000 Ducru-Beaucaillou, a Bordeaux blend from the renowned St Julien sub-region in Bordeaux, France, stands as a notable example of winemaking excellence. Crafted by Ducru Beaucaillou, this red wine features a composition of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. With an alcohol content of 13.0%, this vintage has garnered significant attention from wine critics, earning high praise for its depth, complexity, and aging potential.
Reviewers have noted the wine's deep garnet-brick color and its evolving aromatic profile. Neal Martin from Vinous described the 2000 Ducru-Beaucaillou as "very deep in colour" with a nose that is "very backward" featuring "intense black cherries, boysenberry, prune and fig aromas." He advised serious decanting for this millennial vintage to gain clarity and vigor. Martin awarded it a score of 93.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided one of the highest accolades, scoring it 96 points. Lisa Perrotti-Brown highlighted its "flamboyant scents of baked black currants, raisin cake, prunes, Chinese five spice and eucalyptus" with a palate that is "remarkably refreshing with all these decadent spice and dried berries layers." She noted its "soft, powdery tannins" and a "long and mineral laced" finish, calling it "stunning."
Wine Spectator's James Molesworth also praised the wine, giving it a score of 94. He noted its "great focus" with "cedar, bay and leather notes" that complement the "core of fig and blackberry fruit flavors" and a "long, bittersweet cocoa-dusted finish."
James Suckling, on his website, acknowledged his initial reservations about the wine, but now rates it 96 points, citing its "wonderful aromas of roses and currants with hints of mint," and describing it as "full body yet very finely textured with pretty fruit concentration and length."
John Gilman from View From The Cellar echoed this sentiment, scoring it 96 and describing it as showing "a level of complexity and breed that only First Growths routinely exude." He emphasized its "rock solid core of sweet black fruit," "stunning soil signature," and "fine-grained tannins," predicting it will need another decade to fully mature.
This vintage has been consistently lauded for its structure, balance, and potential for further aging, with Neal Martin's Wine Journal awarding it an impressive 97 points. He praised its "spellbinding bouquet" and "sense of symmetry that is beyond both the very impressive 1995 and 1996."
Overall, the 2000 Ducru-Beaucaillou is celebrated for its excellent quality and longevity, making it a prized addition to any wine collection.