1996 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou Saint Julien

The 1996 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou Saint Julien showcases a robust flavor profile typical of the Saint Julien region in Bordeaux, France. It features dark fruit notes, such as blackberry and cassis, complemented by subtle hints of cedar, tobacco, and earthy undertones, reflecting its incredibly balanced structure. Ducru Beaucaillou is a classified Second Growth Bordeaux highly sought after my collectors for its ability to age gracefully for decades.

Wine critic Jane Anson of Inside Bordeaux gave it 94 points after retasting it in 2023, saying, "One of the great old school vintages of late 20th century Bordeaux, underestimated at the time because its tannic heft kept everything closed for a good decade or more. We are joining it now, at 27 years old, as everything is just smoothing out, the tannins still present but welcoming and supple, holding on to cassis, bilberry, black cherry, sage, white truffle, cloves, star anise, charcoal and mint that captures the essence of the vintage in St Julien. It was also a moment in the Médoc when there was a profound shift from the traditional way of winemaking, and here at Ducru there was a new winery that had been in place since 1995, and Eric Boissenot was just joining the consulting team, working alongside his father Jacques.