1995 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou

97 POINTS

Gareth Birchley - Decanter

This gives the sensational Ducru 1996 a run for its money. More foursquare and less elaborate, this 1995 is equally generous and is quintessential St-Julien. All about cigar box and cedar at this stage with a seamless tannin structure, this wine is all about pleasure right now. Wonderful balance and phenomenal length that will keep it going for decades to come.

95 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Subtle yet aromatic character of Indian spices, currants and dried cherries. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a long, caressing finish. Wonderful texture. Classy and structured. Long. This was wine of the year in 1998; well deserved.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2009.

92 POINTS

Andy Howard MW - Decanter

Significantly more development apparent, with notes of leather and cigar combining with drying, leafy tannins and less succulent fruit. Good sweetness on the palate, with lighter alcohol, fresh acidity and a cool note indicating this is a St-Julien from a different era of winemaking (and climate). But this is still a very elegant cru classé – look to enjoy this over the next five years.

Jancis Robinson

5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak (66% new). Summer was hot and dry. There was some rain in September and harvest of thick-skinned grapes extended over the whole of the second half of September.Amazingly youthful colour. Slightly stinky, gamey nose. Certainly aromatic! Much more evolved tannins than the 1996. Sleek and St-Julien-like. Dry finish. Less fruit than the 1996 and probably just past its peak but with nice length. Builds quite a bit towards the end – the obverse of the 2001 which is all on the nose. (JR)" (01/2022)