1996 Ducru Beaucaillou

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 23/04/1999

I tasted the 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou on four separate occasions from bottle in January. The 1996 is long, with a deep mid-palate. It also reveals tannin in the finish. This wine is remarkable. It is muscular, concentrated, and classic. Bottled in late June, 1998, it exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, as well as a knock-out nose of minerals, licorice, cassis, and an unmistakable lead pencil smell that I often associate with top vintages of Lafite-Rothschild. It is sweet and full-bodied, yet unbelievably rich with no sense of heaviness or flabbiness. The wine possesses high tannin, but it is extremely ripe, and the sweetness of the black currant, spice-tinged Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is pronounced. This profound, backward Ducru-Beaucaillou is a must purchase. It will be fascinating for readers who own the 1996 to follow the evolution of this exceptional vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2035.


Drink 2008-2035
-Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide No 7

The 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou was tasted on numerous occasions blind against the fabulous 1995. Which vintage is superior? It is a marginal call, but the 1996 appears slightly longer, with a deeper mid-palate. It also reveals more tannin in the finish. The 1996 is more muscular, concentrated and classic. This wine exhibits a saturated ruby/purple colour, as well as a knockout nose of minerals, licorice, cassis and an unmistakeably lead pencil smell that I often associate with top vintages of Lafite Rothschild. It is sweet and full bodied yet unbelievably rich with no sense of heaviness or flabbiness. The wine possesses high tannin, but it is extremely ripe and the sweetness of the blackcurrent, spice-tinged Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is pronounced. This profound, backward Ducru Beaucaillou is a must purchase. It wil be fascinating for readers who own both the 1996 and 1995 to follow the evolution of these two exceptional vintages. Anticipated maturity: now-2035

The 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou was picked from 23 September until 8 October, a blend of 25% Merlot and 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has evolved a very pure bouquet, almost Burgundy-like, with macerated red cherries and red plum, tobacco, leather and bay leaf. This 1996 seems a little more forward than others, perhaps more 1995 in style, but it is bestowed one of the most seductive and sensual aromatics of the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, moving firmly into secondary stage with hints of leather, game and allspice. This is a Ducru Beaucaillou that has resolved to give pleasure at 20 years and not sooner. Hints of Hoisin develop on the finish with Chinese Five-Spice and leave you wanting more. Enjoy this now and over the next 15-20 years. (Incidentally, Bruno Borie poured another bottle that had been decanted and it was astonishingly different. The decanted version, perhaps against expectation, seemed firmer, sharper and more masculine, more "1996" if you like, perhaps revealing the true Ducru Beaucaillou.) Tasted July 2016.

Bright medium ruby. Deep, superripe aromas of dark berries, black cherry and bitter chocolate; slightly exotic crystallized fruit aspect. Dense, sweet and wonderfully rich; a lovely combination of palate-caressing chocolatey fruit and firm underlying structure. Finishes with excellent grip and great palate-saturating sweetness. Another outstanding 1996 Medoc wine in the making. Drink 2010 through 2030.

Fully into its prime-time drinking window, the nose, with its tobacco, cedar chest, cigar box, herb, forest leaf, and currant-filled perfume is a treat. Full-bodied, with ample concentration, length, freshness, and a wealth of chewy currants on the palate, this is a treat to drink at this stage. Not much decanting is needed, just pop, pour and enjoy the ride. Drink from 2022-2036. Tasted Sept 2022