
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint Julien Grand Cru 1995
(Bordeaux, France) - [WS 97, #1 of 1998] [WA 95] [DM 95]
Regular price $965.00 Sale price $649.97 Save $315.03
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About the Winery:
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou owes its name to its "beautiful pebbles" ("beaux Cailloux", in French) that geologists refer to less romantically as Gunzian gravel. These quartz pebbles were deposited by the ancient Garonne at the beginning of the early Quaternary period, some two million years ago. It suffices to take a walk through the vineyards to make rich lithological finds. Lydian jasper from the Pyrenees, flint, quartz, agatoids... These Gunzian gravels make for soils that are poor in plant nutrients. But it is their very agrological paucity that guarantees the qualitative excellence of the wines. A choice of nature.
About the Wine:
No less than 50 manual interventions contribute to the crafting of Ducru-Beaucaillou "grand vin". This united, multicultural team shares a common philosophy: to push the demands of their profession to the limits. Great wine is an accumulation of care and attention to detail. The viticulture is wilfully elitist and respectful, from the technical winegrowing process to the reconstitution of the soils, from the traditional Medoc-style pruning to the meticulous green harvesting and the staggered replanting of each vineyard blocks. Selection of the grapes is ever more stringent, vinification is adapted to the specific identity of each plot. All of these efforts contribute to the extraordinary purity of the blends that subsequently undergo slow aging in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months. Not to mention the unending listening, questioning, reflecting.
The result is in the glass. The allure is immediate. A soft, fruity attack on the palate, a voluptuousness underscored by perfectly integrated, silky tannins that culminate in an exceptionally lengthy finish. The aromas dance, flatter the nose, seduce the soul and penetrate the memory. A muse that arrives on tiptoe and leave a lasting, infinite souvenir.
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points, Rank #1 Top 100 Wines of 1998 - Wine Spectator:
The greatest Ducru produced this century. Breathtaking aromas of berries, violets, vanilla and blackberries set the stage for a wine that's full-bodied and tannic, yet very fine and long in the mouth. This has fabulous structure for aging. Best after 2004.
95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Proprietor Bruno Borie noted this was a somewhat unusual blend this year: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. After this vintage, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot would no longer be included in the blend. Medium to deep brick in color, the 1995 Ducru-Beaucaillou explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of Indian spices, plum preserves, fruitcake and dried figs with nuances of potpourri, star anise, bouquet garni and espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of exotic spices and preserved black fruits, framed by firm, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic impact and length. Mature and drinking well now, there's still a good 12-15 years of kick left in this thoroughbred." - Lisa Perrotti Brown (August 2020)
95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
The bouquet of the Ducru-Beaucaillou 1995 offers an array of fresh fruit, blackcurrant, plum, spices and liquorice complicated by mint and minerality. It has a juicy and quite fleshy texture and flavours that evoke graphite and cedar along with a touch of leather. This is now at the beginning of its apogee but should hold well for another 10 years thanks to the quality of its tannins. (Drink between 2022-2030)