2015 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

98 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is phenomenally great. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 pulses with energy in all of its dimensions. Creme de cassis, blackberry jam, graphite, smoke, leather and incense, along with the wine's muscular tannins, convey an impression of brooding intensity. The 2015 has been nothing short of sensational on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Readers should be prepared to be patient. Don't miss it!

97 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is provocatively and profoundly scented of chocolate-covered cherries, fresh black currants, crushed blueberries and licorice with touches of cigar box, roses and violets plus hints of black pepper and tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, rich and sultry with tons of seductive layers and firm, wonderfully velvety tannins, it has a very long, multilayered finish.

97 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Dark in color, with a bit of purple around the rim, the wine feels silky, plush and rich on the palate, The sweet fruits have freshness and definition. The tannins are polished like velvet, leaving you with a long sensation of ripe boysenberries, dark chocolate, espresso, licorice and smoke. The finish really lingers on the palate. This is a tremendous wine for the vintage, equal to any of the First Growths. Produced from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, the wine reached 13.42% alcohol with a pH of 3.89 and is aging in 100% new French oak barrels.

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Here, black fruits, bitter dark chocolate and inky liquorice abound. The texture is extremely impressive, really punching above the average St-Julien in this vintage. It is gorgeously withheld at the moment, but with so much promise of what lies ahead. It is subtle but hugely persistent on the palate. 100% new oak for 18 months. Bottled in July.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of oyster shell, iron and currants. Hints of iodine. Full-bodied, very tight and focused. Love the finish of sandalwood, cinnamon, violets and lavender. Wonderful tannin texture. Linear and driven. Drink in 2022.

97 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Showy, with layers of warmed fig, roasted mesquite, black tea, incense and Turkish coffee notes, followed by waves of lush cassis, blackberry and raspberry confiture flavors. This has a graphite grounding rod, a tarry spine and riveting licorice snap details to keep it driving along. A head-turner for sure. Best from 2025 through 2045.   –JM

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Barrel Sample. This wine is powerful with a smooth texture that masks dark tannins underneath. The fruit is sensual and generous with a fine, precise texture. This has so much fruit that it could be drunk young, but it certainly will age. 96 points