Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2006

This classic, backward, tannic St.-Julien is made in the style of 1996 and 1986. The 2006 Ducru Beaucaillou possesses a dense purple color along with a sweet perfume of graphite, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, and subtle toasty oak. Despite their prominent place in the wine’s structure, the sweetness of the tannins and the full-bodied, muscular style suggest exceptional patience will be required. This is a big, substantial, meaty, masculine wine built for considerable longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

Very perfumed and beautiful, showing blackberry and raspberry aromas, with hints of vanilla. Deep and complex. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, powerful finish. Excellent for the vintage. Best after 2015. 10,500 cases made.

Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (75% of the blend), the 2006 Ducru nevertheless achieves a supple, voluptuous texture. The aromas are somewhat restrained, touched by a hint of eucalyptus and bell pepper, but there is underlying power here and enough substance to age. The Borie team waited until the rain was nearly finished to start the harvest, and the ripeness of the fruit and low yields (four to eight bunches per vine) doubtless contributed to this decadent feel.

Subtle aromas of currants, blueberries and minerals. Full-bodied with super-integrated tannins and a very, very fine finish. I love the texture of this wine, and it’s just starting to show you the true quality it has. Start drinking. One of the top wines of this vintage. Better in 2016.

The 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 90% new oak, has quite a captivating, very attractive bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, peony, crushed rocks and blood orange—one of my favorite aromatics on the Left Bank in this growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity, quite linear and “solid.” There is a lot of concentration toward the finish, a dab of spice that leaves the tongue tingling. Maybe it could benefit from more nuance and personality on the finish, but it is certainly a very fine Saint-Julien for the vintage. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.

Full-bodied, firm, classic, tannic, moderately austere in character, with a bright cranberry and red currant core of fruit that will remain on the firm side. The wine remains youthful and should age for decades while retaining its classic character. Drink from 2023-2045.

The 2006 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is up-front and even a little evolved, with a charming, medium-bodied style as well as notes of red and black fruits, dried flowers, spice, and foresty, earthy nuances. With medium-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a layered mouthfeel, this is clearly in its prime drinking window. I don't see any upside here, but this has lots of character, brings rock-solid mid-palate depth, and displays a more seamless, elegant style compared to the 2004.

Deep, dark garnet with violet highlights. A stirring nose: plenty of black cherries, currants, smoke, nobility, black fruit and fine woods, showing beautiful terroir-driven aromatics, with delicately integrated roast notes and dark toast nuances. On the palate, a tightly knit, still black-berry-driven bundle of finesse— in a class of its own. With its tobacco and cedar notes, Ducru in reincarnated form, like very old, great Ducru vintages, only even more brilliant in technical execution. Ageing potential of at least 40 years, while never entirely losing its hallmark youthful beauty. A magnificent alternative to the pricey Premiers.

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. Deep, dark garnet with violet highlights. Moving nose with lots of black cherries, currants, smoke, nobility, black fruits and fine woods, showing a beautiful sense of terroir, delicately tuned roast tones and dark toast notes. On the palate, a concentrated package of finesse, still very black-berried, a class of its own; with tobacco and cedar notes, Ducru in reincarnated form, set to become like the very old great Ducru vintages, only even more brilliant thanks to modern technique. This wine has an ageing potential of at least 40 years and will never completely lose its inherent youthful beauty. For those upset by the overpriced Premier Crus, this is a great alternative. (19/20). 08: Deep, dark ruby with purple and black highlights. Brilliant, profound Cabernet and cedar bouquet, vanilla pod, currently closed, lots of ripe plums and dark fine woods. Grand presence on the palate, homogeneous, ripe tannins well coated, balanced yet demanding astringency. Shows even more fascination and stature than at last year’s en primeur tastings and ranks among the greatest Ducru vintages of modern times. (19/20). 09: 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou: Warm bouquet, freshly baked black bread, nutty contours and freshly roasted coffee, beautiful Cabernet expression. Dense, fleshy palate, floury texture on the tongue, plenty of demanding yet truly noble tannins, tends toward a certain masculinity and thus resembles its own ’96. Will and can improve further. For now: 18/20. 15: Still a saturated ruby-purple. The bouquet starts shyly, then builds steadily. First wild Cabernet traces, then Dominican cigars and Sichuan peppercorns, the fruit has retreated somewhat. On the palate too you sense its current reticence, balanced yet strongly astringent, still rather up-front and demanding. Its greatness is clearly visible, though. First drinking window from 2022. (19/20). 21: You can tell this will be a great Ducru. Unfortunately, it’s also clear it’s still far from its drinking peak. Thoroughly introverted. (19/20).

Deep, elegant, dense bouquet of cassis, cedar, tobacco, and licorice. Balanced, dense, multi-layered, aromatic palate with concentrated fruit, plenty of fine tannins, dark, compact aromatics, and a very long, dense finish. 20/20 drink - 2060

This was a vintage that took time to shake off its serious side, and the tannins remain pretty sombre, but set against the classicism of the cassis and blueberry fruits is plenty of slate, graphite, cocoa, pepper, turmeric and dark chocolate that adds richness and power. Softening to show the first hints of tertiary development, with classic St Julien character, lovely fresh acidities. A subdued vintage that has grown into its balance. The first year with Virginie Sallette as winemaker, promoted to technical director in 2008. Harvest September 18 to October 7.

The 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, it reveals notes of dried cranberries, preserved plums, and redcurrant jelly with hints of dried sage, unsmoked cigars, and sweaty leather plus a hint of graphite. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and minerally, with chewy tannins and a minerally finish.

The 2006 reveals itself cautiously, timidly, taking time to gain confidence. It shows delicate graphite notes complemented by aromas of elderberry and, finally, peppermint and dark chocolate. A kind of After-Eight by Ducru! On the palate, the wine also presents itself cautiously. It’s not a blockbuster; it must shine through its finesse, which Ducru does very well, yet it still has to make do with the means at hand—and 2006 didn’t exactly make that easy. The result is convincing: the wine benefits from the crucial support of its acid structure while the tannins lend a touch of vigor. I believe the 2006 still has gustatory potential. Of course, it can be enjoyed now, but it still has a few extra elements to bring forward.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) The wine shows better than in the previous publication, confirming variations from one bottle to another. Dark color, good intensity and slightly evolved. Intense nose with ripe fruit and a hint of almond. Lovely, very fruity entry on the palate, and the wine unfolds juicy, flavorful, with substance, body, and slightly firm tannins on the finish. Normal length.

Garnet red with a brick-red rim. On the nose, earthy notes, a hint of orange blossom, blackcurrant leaf and fresh bay leaf. With aeration, dried mushrooms and dried fruit also emerge. On the palate, it is gentle and elegant, then more fleshy flavours come through. It has power and is a little angular and unruly. Overall, it is vibrant and powerful.

This is that rare Bordeaux Cabernet that comes close in style to a Napa Cabernet. The character comes from the mint aromas and medicinal edge, formed from new wood aging. At this stage in its development, the wine is powerful, but closed and tight. However, it is possible to taste the ripe perfumes and the black cherry juice flavors that come through the vanilla.