The 2023 Ducru Beaucaillou is a Bordeaux blend from the esteemed St. Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Ducru Beaucaillou, is composed predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon (83-85%) and Merlot (15-17%). The wine has undergone aging in 100% new oak barrels, with reports suggesting a long seasoning process of up to five years and a final aging duration of 18 months.
James Suckling praises the wine's aromatic profile, noting scents of "blackberries and blackcurrant, as well as graphite and flint," adding that it carries a "mineral edge to it, like licking a stone" (jamessuckling.com). Suckling awarded the wine an impressive 97 points, emphasizing its "extremely refined tannins" and "creamy character."
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also gave the 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou a high score of 97 points, describing it as "a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien." Galloni highlights the wine's "captivating" aromatics, which include "truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice, and menthol," and appreciates its "textural opulence" (Vinous).
Jane Anson offers a slightly lower score of 96 points but commends the wine for its "precision and balance," noting its "slow, long build" and "fine and sappy tannins" (janeanson.com). Anson points out that this vintage showcases finesse and nuance, making it a standout year for Cabernet in Bordeaux.
Decanter's review also aligns with the high praise, giving the wine 97 points and describing it as "smooth and so silky, but rich too," with a "crushed velvet texture" and a "juicy cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry" finish (Decanter).
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider rates the wine slightly higher at 98 points, highlighting its "vibrant, fresh, elegant, concentrated" palate and its "silky, succulent, finesse-oriented" nature (TheWineCellarInsider.com). Leve notes the importance of precise harvest timing in achieving phenolic ripeness.
Jeb Dunnuck echoes the high ratings with 97 points, noting the wine's "gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and crushed stone," and its "pure, incredibly elegant" character (jebdunnuck.com).
Finally, Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent also awards the wine 97 points, describing it as "deep garnet-purple in color," with a "firm backbone of grainy tannins and wonderful tension" (The Wine Independent).
In summary, the 2023 Ducru Beaucaillou is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its elegance, complexity, and balance. It is expected to age well, with reviewers noting its potential longevity of up to 50 years.