Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2001

Somewhat light-bodied for a Ducru, with a 1999-like personality, this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc is a forward, medium-bodied, pretty effort revealing notes of cranberries, black cherries, cassis, and earth. Full of finesse, but lacking concentration as well as depth, it should be consumed over the next 10-12 years.

Offers a pretty sweetness of fruit, with raspberry and currant coulis notes gliding along a polished structure. Alluring mesquite, incense and rooibos tea elements flow through, revealing a light iron echo on the finish. Modestly sized but well-constructed. -- Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2025.

Now at 20 years of age, the 2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou reveals liquorice, menthol, leather, tobacco and black berry aromas with a smoky hint. The attack is lively and although the palate has a moderately dense structure to it, the tannins are still a bit juicy at this stage. There is a hint of both animal and dark berries on the long, airy finish. It is now on the cusp of its apogee.

The 2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in two-thirds new oak for 12 months, is a vintage that I feel has never quite lived up to the billing given the performances of its peers. Now at 20-years of age, the nose is more evolved than others, attractive though with clove, loam, tomato vine and red berry fruit. I wonder if it needs a little more hang time? The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, a lilting Ducru-Beaucaillou, well balanced but for want of a better expression, it seems to lack ambition. Drinking perfectly now, I don’t think it will repay extended cellaring. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.

Coffee, truffle, wet earth, black cherry and spice aromas lead to a soft, round, open, medium bodied, polished style of Ducru Beaucaillou. This is ready for prime time drinking today.

Reserved nose, with a subtle greenish edge at first, Sichuan peppercorns, spicy; it may be lacking a touch of sweetness. On the palate, rather austere, with still mealy tannins that feel rough and drying; it lacks finesse and falls slightly short of expectations.

02: Medium garnet-purple with a ruby, lightening rim. Subtle, fragrant bouquet of cherry, plum, cedar and pencil-lead notes, showing warm, ripe fruit within, with fine terroir spice. On the palate very refined, with velvety, sweetly radiant tannins touched with a hint of rock candy; despite a certain, almost playful lightness, there is splendid aromatics—typical, classic Ducru character—followed by a long, again delicate finish. Can still improve. 04: Compared with comparable Deuxièmes of the same vintage, this Ducru comes across as slender and elegant (17/20). Tasted blind on Bora Bora in autumn 2005. Beautiful, almost “gluggable,” but for that very reason it lacks a bit of Grand Cru play and staying power. On the other hand, you can already drink it now. (17/20). 06: In a way, it’s a “peace-and-love pancake wine.” Fine and very agreeable. I’m not sure whether that’s finesse or whether it needs to be called thin. It is at least surprising that such a young Ducru can already be described as mature. 08: Dark, evolving garnet, lightening rim. Evolving bouquet, initially reminiscent of a Chambolle-Musigny: wild hare meat, pickled plums, licorice; the nose already seems mature while showing beautiful terroir notes. Fine, very elegant palate, finely grained tannins that still give the wine support; a bit forward on the tongue, somehow more power than harmony. But perhaps age will bring that together. (17/20). 09: Reserved nose, slightly greenish at first, Sichuan peppercorns, spicy; perhaps it lacks a touch of sweetness. The palate is a bit edgy with lots of (still?) floury tannins, drying and still missing finesse. Will time heal those wounds? As a result, it sits somewhat behind expectations for the Château and the vintage. (17/20). 10: Served blind at a dinner at the Médévilles’ table in Preignac. I was struck by the blueberry character—almost addictive for a Pauillac. So it is improving and shows surprisingly ample black berries. 11: It has improved again. Really packed and spicy on the nose, with plenty of deep, truffly notes. It now gets the extra point I actually wanted to give it last year. One hour of decanting does it good. (18/20). 15: Dark wine-red, medium depth, lightening rim. Of all the wines tasted, it shows the most beautiful, most filigreed spice, with nuances of ripe plums and lots of nobility. It keeps gaining with air. Already on the nose, a great Bordeaux. On the palate, regal: fine tannins, a dreamlike, broadly layered aromatic profile, very concentrated and extremely persistent. 21: Evolving, slightly matte garnet. Elegant, multi-layered bouquet: cedar scent, red plum jam, graphite (pencil lead), light tobacco and bast wood. In its fundamental aromatic profile on the nose, it clearly recalls earlier, mature, quite great Ducru vintages. The palate flow is soft, almost milky, supple and harmoniously balanced. It shows a finely spicy, minimally under-ripe Cabernet contour. It lingers long on the finish. A gentle Saint-Julien grande with grace and beauty!

Aromatic, elegant, spicy bouquet: tobacco, blue berries, currants, cedar. Classic, medium-bodied palate with dry tannins, refined fruit, rustic structure and a dry finish. 17/20 drink – 2025

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, the 2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou is medium garnet-brick in color. The nose shows maturity, yet still maintains a lot of fruit and freshness. Notes of dried roses, redcurrant jelly, cinnamon stick, and unsmoked cigars drift effortlessly from the glass, followed by hints of pencil lead, beef drippings, and tapenade. Medium-bodied, the palate has vibrant red berry and earthy layers, with soft tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long with a spicy and floral, perfumed lift.

The wine is harmonious and supple, with rich tannins and excellent grape ripeness, but its tannic structure lacks a little density.

It shows finesse and elegance, with a light, easy-drinking profile, supple texture and melted tannins. It has a lovely length and a silky mouthfeel.

Medium garnet red. A fruity bouquet of good intensity, with notes of lingonberry, cherry and blackcurrant. On the palate, the attack is fruity and the body shows good intensity. It might perhaps offer a little more density, but it is quietly reaching maturity and perfectly reflects the fruit-forward character found on the nose. The tannins sit in the background, providing the necessary support for the years to come.

Evolved color. Fruity, smoky nose offering a mature bouquet. A hint of cedar. Lovely aromatic, fresh attack on the palate, with flavor, a fine presence, brightness and fine tannins. Slight liveliness on the finish. Normal length. Rated 16.5 in 2010, tasted off the estate.