2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 12x75cl

Vinous 90

The 2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in two-thirds new oak for 12 months, is a vintage that I feel has never quite lived up to the billing given the performances of its peers. Now at 20-years of age, the nose is more evolved than others, attractive though with clove, loam, tomato vine and red berry fruit. I wonder if it needs a little more hang time? The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, a lilting Ducru-Beaucaillou, well balanced but for want of a better expression, it seems to lack ambition. Drinking perfectly now, I don t think it will repay extended cellaring. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the chateau. [Neal Martin, 21/07/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2035

Robert Parker 92

Tasted at Farr’s Ducru-Beaucaillou dinner at the Ledbury. The 2001 Ducru is showing very well, better than I expected given its performances a few years ago. Here, it has a warm, rounded, almost sensual bouquet with black fruits, bay leaf and cedar " certainly more generous and expressive than the 2000 but without the same level of complexity or delineation. The palate is just entertaining the notion of secondary flavours with some intriguing gamey notes infusing the dark black fruit with the finish seasoned by the Cabernet Franc. This should drink well over the next decade. Tasted October 2010. [Neal Martin, 01/10/2010]