1995 Ducru Beaucaillou
By Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
1995 Ducru Beaucaillou from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou, St-Julien, Bordeaux
The stellar 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou is a testament to the extraordinary conditions of the vintage that offered Bordeaux's winemakers a canvas to craft wines of profound structure and longevity. After decades, it continues to hold the esteem of collectors and connoisseurs, underlining its celebrated pedigree and investment allure.
Chronicle of a Celebrated Vintage
The 1995 season in St-Julien was marked by favourable climatic conditions—a balanced mix of warm days and cool nights, which culminated in optimal ripening of grapes. This harmonious mother nature's benevolence is etched into every sip of the 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou, a vintage which harnesses the essence of its terroir with eloquent grace.
Exquisite Complexity and Elegance
This particular vintage exudes an aristocratic poise—a tapestry woven with threads of rich cassis, blackberry and subtle hints of tobacco and earth. On the palate, it dances with a full-bodied finesse, offering an intricately layered experience that melds mature tannins with vibrant acidity. Its remarkable balance is a hallmark of the finest St-Julien wines, making it a compelling addition to both the connoisseur's cellar and the astute investor's portfolio.
An exquisite conversation between maturity and vibrancy, the 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou has evolved gracefully in bottle. Now at a noteworthy stage in its development, it represents not just a triumph of its vintage but an ongoing narrative of excellence from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou.
In Vino Veritas: Aged to Perfection
The journey which began over two decades ago for the 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou allows for reasoned reflection on its investment potential. It stands as one of the luminaries amidst its peers, projecting both stability and potential growth—a rare find that marries quality with quantifiable value. This sophisticated offering from one of Bordeaux's cherished estates promises to be a prized acquisition for any serious collector looking to diversify with time-honoured classics.
In summary, for those seeking a blend of sensory pleasure and financial prudence, the 1995 Ducru Beaucaillou harmonises these qualities impeccably. It remains an evocative statement of what makes Bordeaux's vintages perennially sought after by those who appreciate the confluence of history, artistry and investment foresight in their wine selections.
Market price (USD)
$2,370.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
129.33
Scores and tasting notes
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 - The Wine Advocate, 13 August 2020
Tasted at Farr's Ducru-Beaucaillou dinner at the Ledbury. Consistent notes with a fabulous Saint Julien that is only just beginning to reach its drinking plateau. The nose is ripe and opulent with hints of wild mint that lend it a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with cranberry; red cherry and cedar on the entry, a first wave of sweet fruit but then a more structured, masculine finish that is just beginning to mellow. Excellent. Tasted October 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Nov 2011
This wine is of first-growth quality, not only from an intellectual perspective, but in its hedonistic characteristics. More open-knit and accessible than the extraordinary 1996, Ducru's 1995 exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, followed by a knock-out nose of blueberry and black raspberry/cassis fruit intertwined with minerals, flowers, and subtle toasty new oak. Like its younger sibling, the wine possesses a sweet, rich mid-palate (from extract and ripeness, not sugar), layers of flavor, good delineation and grip, but generally unobtrusive tannin and acidity. It is a classic, compelling example of Ducru-Beaucaillou that should not be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. It should be obvious to readers of my preliminary reports on both the 1995 and 1996 vintages that the family of Jean-Eugene Borie produced some of the greatest wines ever made at their respective chateaux - Ducru-Beaucaillou, Grand-Puy-Lacoste, and Haut-Batailley - in both 1995 and 1996. That has been confirmed once again in the bottled 1995s, and in the evolution of the powerhouse 1996s.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #115 February 1998