Château Ducru Beaucaillou Saint Julien 2005

BN#178718

Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Category	Red Wine,
Region	France : Bordeaux : St. Julien
Producer	Château Ducru Beaucaillou
Alcohol	13.6%

$295.99
On Sale $234.99
SKU17792

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The 2005 vintage was characterized by an exceptional climate, particularly in the Summer. It was: Very sunny, with almost 2,000 hours of sunshine from May to September, which was 7.5% above average. Hot but not scorching and overall with colder nights. Excessively dry. Rainfall was 45% lower than the yearly average and there was a water shortage of 350mm in the Summer. With an exceptional climate come exceptional grapes.

Wine Advocate Another St.-Julien that has put on significant weight since I tasted it last year, Bruno Borie’s blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot (10,000 cases rather than the typical 18,000-20,000) is a powerful effort boasting 13.6% alcohol. Its inky/purple color is followed by an extraordinary nose of violets, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Full-bodied with fabulous intensity, great acidity, and huge tannins, it is an amazingly vivid, full-bodied wine with monster levels of richness and tannin. Although made in a totally different style, it ranks alongside the monumental 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050. Score range: 95-97. Score: 97. —Robert Parker, April 2007.

Wine Enthusiast 94-96 Barrel sample. Huge blackcurrant fruits dominate a wine that is powerful and showing very ripe. There are flavors of smoky, balanced tannins, bitter cherries, black figs. As all the great wines in 2005, it finishes with a delicious lift of acidity. Score: 95. —Roger Voss, June 20, 2006.

Wine Spectator Intense exotic aromas of crushed blackberries, lilacs and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and big, silky tannins. This is extremely layered, with a polished, caressing texture. Long, long finish. Builds on the palate. Will it be better than 2003? Time will tell. Score range: 95-100. Score: 100. —James Suckling, June 30, 2006.