Ducru Beaucaillou 2005 (3.0L)

98 DE / 97 WA / 97 JD / 96 WS / 95 JS / 95 VM / 18+ JR

A gorgeously silky, juicy and balanced glass of wine, this combines elegant richness of sweet cocoa and blackberry, with tons of power and a feeling of holding itself in check. This is signature St Julien, concentrated yet delicate, just an utterly lovely wine that has good acidity, with tannins that have melted into the rest of the structure and fruit that is still absolutely in control, followed by a saline edge to the finish. There's a long road ahead still, but this is a standout Ducru.-Jane Anson, Decanter

Deep garnet colored, the 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou needs a little coaxing before slipping sensuously out of the glass with the most alluring perfume of red roses, kirsch, star anise, cardamom and fragrant earth over a core of blackcurrant pastilles, blackberry preserves and warm plums plus a touch of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a wonderfully taut, tightly knit frame of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the densely packed fruit, finishing long and perfumed.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

Another wine in its prime drinking window, gorgeous cassis and darker currants as well as leafy tobacco, loamy earth, and graphite define the aromatics of the 2005 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, layered, structured style that has everything in the right places. Its purity of fruit is just about off the charts, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this evolve similarly to the 1982. It will continue developing additional complexity over the coming decade, and this will unquestionably still be drinking beautifully at 50+ years after the vintage.-Jeb Dunnuck

This offers dreamy aromas of singed mesquite and warm fruitcake that meld into a lush swath of mulled currant, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors. Black tea and incense notes skitter throughout, with a mouthwatering iron edge buried deeply.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2020 through 2040.-James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

A nice, complex wine with notes of flowers, berries and leather in the nose. Full-bodied, with pure fruit that turns from light raspberry to cherry jam. This is balanced and silky, a beautiful harmony. Give this some time if you can.-James Suckling

The 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou, tasted a dozen times since en primeur, was picked 21 September to 6 October, matured in 90% new oak for 18 months. It delivers a wall of black fruit on the nose that gradually opens up with aeration, touches of incense and wild mint, cedar coming through with time. But these aromatics remain very backward. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grippy tannins, fine acidity, solid and focused. Tremendously and uncompromisingly backward, this is a seriously fine Ducru-Beaucaillou that is just not yet ready, so go back to the cellar and leave it there for another five years. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.-Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Very closed, rich nose with seriously powerful underlying aroma. All dark fruit. Monumentally backward. On the palate, there is Napa-level heft, with marked acid but (unlike the 2009) great cohesion and balance. By far the longest finish in its flight. If the modern tendency is for flatteringly early-drinking wines, there is nothing modern about this, despite its polish and power.-Alex Hunt MW, JancisRobinson