2003 Ducru Beaucaillou

96 RP

Qty:

From the critics:

95 DEC

94 JS

94 RP

94 WS

92 VM

The 2003 has a very different oak management in style with toasted notes intertwined with a delicate array of dark berries, spices, graphite, and liquorice. It’s medium to full-bodied with nicely integrated oak aromas and delivers immense complexity and character. Black berries and spices with aeration. The palate is fleshy and has velvety tannins and long, penetrating finish. It’s already approachable yet will keep for 20 years. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2042.

Decanter | 95 DEC

A hot, dry summer resulted in a tiny production of under 10,000 cases of 2003 Ducru Beaucaillou from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare. This beauty boasts a deep plum/ruby/purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge. Aromas of licorice, creme de cassis, incense and spring flowers are followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine with loads of fruit and glycerin as well as a plush texture. It is just entering its plateau of maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years.

Robert Parker | 94 RP

Alluring aromas and flavors of warm fig bread, espresso, roasted mesquite and blackberry confiture are fleshy and impressively rendered, with a noticeable plum skin and toothy loamy edge. Shows a bit more juicy energy than most in this retrospective, but doesn’t quite reach next-level quality.—Blind ’01/’03/’05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2032. 17,500 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 94 WS

Lots of aromas of roasted fruit, such as blueberries and raisins, and spices. It has full body with plenty of velvety tannins and a long, slightly chewy finish. Needs another two or three years to come together but outstanding now.

James Suckling | 94 JS

Ruby-red. Sexy nose offers superripe currant, raspberry, graphite and coconut. Lush, very rich and fine-grained, with an almost confectionery sweetness and thickness for this St. Julien. Atypically powerful on the back end, but not hard. Bruno Borie took over direction of this property with the 2003 and immediately switched to a heavier bottle with a longer neck that could accommodate a 55-millimeter cork. A terrific showing-but I’d still give this wine another four or five years of aging.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

This is a solid, powerful wine packed with tannins and heavy black fruits. As so often, Ducru is taking its time, and this wine is still knitting itself together. But in future years, watch for the generosity, the richness as well as the finesse and freshness. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates.

Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

The initial scents of molasses and sweet fruit give way to an equally black, but more complex and potent wine with air. It’s extremely ripe, with the scent and feel of fruit skin in the tannins-almost pruney. But there’s also a sense of stature and elegance, a supple wine that should prove itself around ten years of age.
Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, NY
| 91 W&S

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Left Bank
Appellation	Saint Julien
Cru	Second Growth

Producer	Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou : With three hundred years of influence in the Medoc, the history of Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou is as elegant as the wine itself; the property, magnificent and its terroir so unique that it lends to the name of this tremendous Second Growth. In existence since 1720, Ducru Beaucaillou has been a symbol of beauty and prestige in the small but fertile appellation of Saint Julien, carved by the Gironde and nestled between Margaux to the South and Paulliac to the North. Over the course of history only six families have owned the lands of Ducru Beaucaillou, each playing a significant role in its success, from the founding family to its current owner. In 1795, Bertrand Ducru acquired the property and his love of the Medoc growth led him to make major investments in both the cellars and vineyard. His contributions were so grand that his successors decided to add his name to that of Beaucaillou. Ducru’s tireless, ambitious nature helped propel the reputation of the estate, developing the land and transforming the typical Gironde house into an elegant Directoire chartreuse (traditional country-styled chateau) overlooking the estuary. Each inheriting family would tend to the vineyards with the utmost care and respect, leaving their own mark on its history. In 1855, Ducru Beaucaillou was officially classified a Second Growth. After years of continued success, the property finally came to rest in the hands of the Borie family in 1942. The efforts of the Borie family have only elevated the esteem and allure of Ducru Beaucaillou to a higher status. Human effort can only be partly accountable and the Borie family recognized this ideal as well as the extreme importance of the unique terroir being its most significant contributor. The miracle of this Medoc property lies in the marriage of the air, land and vine. The peninsula is open to the estuary to the east, bordered by the peaceful pine forest to the west and has a light like no other. This steamy, orange light lazily caresses the vines of Ducru Beaucaillou in the early morning. The stony ridges are comprised of ancient deposits from centuries of erosion creating a soil composed of gravel, marl and pebbles. These pebbles are quite significant in both its contribution to the soil and also its name. The name Beaucaillou means, “Beautiful Pebbles.” These large, beautiful stones named “Gunz,” give rise to poor soils, forcing the plant to draw its nutrients at depth. The pebbles retain daytime heat and return it to the vines at night, facilitating the ripening of the vine. This tremendous force of nature gives the wines of Ducru Beaucaillou an extraordinary elegance, grace and silky composure. The 75-hectare vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and provide the grapes for its flagship, Ducru Beaucaillou, the second and third wines, La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou, and Le Petit Ducru De Ducru Beaucaillou. The current owner, Borie has lowered its yields in an attempt to increase quality and thus dropping production to 10,000 cases annually. Ducru Beaucaillou has witnessed much throughout its long and illustrious history, but has also, very much stayed the same. It remains a jewel of Saint Julien today.