2005 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou Ex-Chateau 2022 (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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As one of a handful of Second Growths in St. Julien, Ducru-Beaucaillou ranks among the region's most highly regarded Chateaux, crafting a top rated Grand Vin that delivers a "big bang for the buck," especially in the top vintages like those featured here. Earning 95+ point ratings and unanimous critical acclaim, this comprehensive selection of outstanding Ducru-Beaucaillou encompasses a range of the Chateau's top rated vintages, from the exceptional 97pt 1982 with 40 years of pristine cellaring to the perfect 100pt 2009 and 2018, all at different stages of their long-lived evolution and at the best prices on the market.

Perched among centuries' old parkland with incomparable views of the Gironde estuary, the majestic, Victorian-style Chateau of Ducru-Beaucaillou has been home to the Borie family for over 60 years, originally named for the abundant quartz stones strewn throughout its vineyards ("beau caillou" translates as "beautiful stones"). Working with esteemed consultant Eric Boisseneot, third generation Bruno Borie has presided over "Super Second" Ducru's spectacular rise in quality, spearheading the transition to sustainable organic viticulture while implementing stricter yields and constructing a modern winemaking facility with the largest cellars in the Medoc. Enjoying a microclimate of moderate temperatures due to their proximity to the Gironde, the vineyards are planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with about one third Merlot on a mix of marl, pebbles and flat stones, forcing the vines to go deep for nutrients while retaining moisture and enhancing even ripening, yielding complex Grand Vins with astonishing longevity.

From the 97pt 1982 declared "one of the all-time great Ducrus" by Robert Parker, to the Wine Spectator Top 100 2015, rated 98pts by Bordeaux expert Jane Anson, summing it up as "great stuff!" to the 100 pt. 2018 that "will go down in the annals of this historic estate" according to the Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss, Ducru-Beaucaillou has earned rave reviews from critics across the board, some vintages to enjoy now and some rewarding patient cellaring – all terrific choices for Bordeaux fans, whether putting together a vertical tasting or selecting a few favorite vintages, ready to stash away in original wooden cases.

98WI

98D

97WA

97JA

96WS

The 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick. It needs a fair bit of shaking before it erupts with the most spectacular perfume of kirsch, warm cassis, rose oil, and licorice, followed by hints of unsmoked cigars, crushed rocks, and fragrant soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture and compelling tension, beautifully framing the red and black fruit layers, and finishing with a firework display of floral and mineral notes.

98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Sep 2023)

The extraordinary 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou shows the quality of both the vintage and the terroir along with Bruno Borie's sense of wine. Slightly toasty and smoky, the bouquet exhales dark, black berry aromas, spices, blueberry, cedar and graphite aromas intertwined with a lot of minerality. It is a beautiful sunny expression of the domain, with a long and tense palate, and both velvety and dense tannins. Very long and penetrating, the finish is slightly graphitic. It will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age (it already offers pleasure) and have 15-20 years of overall longevity.

98 points, Yohan Castaing, Decanter (May 2021)

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.

97 points, Wine Advocate (Aug 2020)

Fully ripe red cherry, cassis and blackberry fruits. with exotic turmeric and clove spice notes. Plenty of supple texture through the palate, with softened tannins and St Julien balance. Higher Merlot content than you would find in the wine today, this is a 2005 with hints of tertiary truffles, saffran and oyster shell, finessed and welcoming. Harvest September 21 to October 6. 100% new oak. Eric and Jacques Boissenot consultants.

97 points, Jane Anson (May 2023)

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. 10,000 cases made.

96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (2018)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.0%

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$356.88

Compare At: $399.99

2 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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