Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou (6 Bottles in OWC) 2018

Professional Ratings

• 100 Jeb Dunnuck

  The grand vin of this terrific estate, the 2018 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is based on 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that will spend 18 months in new barrels. It’s as classy as they come, boasting a deep purple/blue color as well as awesome notes of pure crème de cassis, smoke tobacco, crushed rock-like minerality, and violets. Haute couture at its finest, with full-bodied richness, building structure and tannins, and remarkable purity, it’s certainly in the same ballpark as the magical 2016. It will be approachable in just 4-5 years yet keep for 40+. Barrel Sample: 97-100

• 99 Wine Spectator

  Another rock 'em sock 'em St.-Julien here, brimming with nearly exotic blackberry, plum, blueberry and açaí berry reduction notes, bristling with brambly energy and racing through a graphite-edged finish. Shows gorgeous perfume throughout, despite the fairly obvious level of concentration. Barrel Sample: 96-99

• 99 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Tasted as a barrel sample. the 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a very deep purple-black color. It charges out of the glass with bold crème de cassis, preserved plums and baked blueberries notes with touches of chocolate pie, Christmas pudding and Chinese five spice plus a hint of oolong tea. The full-bodied palate is simply a powerhouse, with super firm, super ripe, grainy tannins, lovely freshness and tons of black fruit preserves flavor layers, finishing very long and very exotic. WOW! Barell Sample: 97-99
• 99 James Suckling

  Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, new leather and bark follow through to a full body with a dense, deep palate that goes on and on, but is still shy and reserved. Large amount of ultra fine, cashmere-like tannins that are silky, sleek and wonderfully integrated. Extremely long and focused. Needs at least four to five years to start opening. A beautiful wine for the cellar. Try after 2027.

• 98 Wine Enthusiast
  This is a powerful wine that shows big tannins and great concentration that are matched with intense acidity. The result is a magnificent wine with the dense fruit flavor and bold structure that will lend well to aging.
  Barrel Sample: 96-98
• 97 Decanter
  Extremely complex, this is tight and holds on with an initial austerity. The plentiful tannins layer up right through the palate, but they are sandwiched by gorgeous blackberry and cassis fruits. There's an inkiness and a spice box feel here, with notes of dried herbs, black olive tapenade and graphite, all generously present. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more the flesh of the fruit takes precedence and yet the wine manages to also convey a St-Julien classicism. This has all the elements to age exceptionally well, and to give great pleasure along the way.
  Barrel Sample