2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 12x75cl

Neal Martin 96+

The 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou, picked 29 September to 14 October, was matured in 100% new oak for 18 months. This is more backward, sultry compared to the 2009, but there is a payload of black fruit laced with violet and cedar, a very faint ash scent emerging with time. The palate is full-bodied with powerful black fruit, a lovely granular texture and a killer line of acidity. There is a certainly headiness on the finish, atypically more so than the 2009, although it delivers extraordinary persistence. It needs another 10 years before it even thinks about entering its drinking window. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the chateau. [Neal Martin, 21/07/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2030-2070

vinum 96

Sweet blackcurrant and toasty oak in a focused and compact 2010 context. Impressive nose with both subtlety and class. This comes close to defining ‘compact’ and classy Bordeaux. It’s fine-boned and extremely long without any excess weight. The length, savoury character and definition are superb. [Matthew Hemming, 01/01/2021]

Wine Advocate 99

Very deep garnet in color, the 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou is just slightly closed to begin, featuring subtle wafts of baked plums, espresso and bay leaves before kicking it up a notch with expressive notes of blackcurrant cordial, chargrilled meats, woodsmoke and crushed rocks plus a tantalizing touch of truffles. Full-bodied, concentrated and oh-so-decadently fruited in the mouth, the palate is built like a brick house with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the tightly wound flavor layers, finishing with epic length and depth. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 30/07/2020]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2065

JancisRobinson.com 17++

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Sweet and ripe black fruit. A touch minty. Tannins are very firm on the palate at the moment but here I am more confident it just needs time. Dense, muscular. Wait. (JH) [12/02/2020]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2040

Vinous 95+

Medium red-ruby. Sexy, ripe aromas of black- and redcurrant, cedar and minerals, lifted by a subtle minty note; an essence of perfumed Saint-Julien cabernet sauvignon. Then rich, deep and incredibly vibrant, displaying major dimensions for Ducru as well as a dense kernel of complex, delineated blackcurrant, red cherry, milk chocolate, cedar and fresh herb flavor. Finishes wonderfully long and subtle, with suave tannins that eventually dust the front teeth and a quintessentially silky texture. If the 2010 vintage is a modern classic, this wine could be Exhibit A. [Stephen Tanzer, 07/01/2013]