The 2021 Ducru Beaucaillou Bordeaux Blend from St Julien, Bordeaux, is a remarkable red wine that has garnered high praise from several esteemed reviewers. This vintage, composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, stands out for its precision and elegance, with a lower alcohol content of 12.5%.
Antonio Galloni from Vinous gave it an outstanding score of 98, highlighting its "delicate, understated" nature and "impeccably balanced" elements. He notes that the wine captures its potential with finesse, showcasing inner sweetness and a gorgeous perfume. The blend's high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, the highest in the estate's history, contributes to its modern-day classic status.
James Suckling awarded it a score of 97, praising its "firm, structured and pure" character, with a "cool and solid core" of dark currants, blackberries, and a "long, mineral finish." Similarly, Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com described it as "classy, and classic, elegant, and refined," noting its vibrant and energetic palate with a "gorgeous finish."
Jane Anson also rated it 96, appreciating its "seductive smoked cedar" and "rose petal aromatics," adding that it "really stands out" in this challenging vintage. Jeb Dunnuck echoed this sentiment, calling it "one of the top wines of the vintage" with "ripe, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish."
The wine's structured, velvety texture, and complex flavors of dark berries, tobacco, and spices are consistently noted across reviews. Its capacity to age gracefully is mentioned by Wine Enthusiast, which awarded it 97 points, recognizing its "enormous potential" and "fine black currant fruits."
Overall, the 2021 Ducru Beaucaillou is a testament to skilled winemaking, delivering a wine that combines depth, purity, and finesse, making it a standout in its vintage.