Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1998 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou – Bottle Notes

The 1998 Ducru Beaucaillou was the winning bottle in the April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for 1 hour and served with steaks.

Ducru Beaucaillou is one of the oldest Bordeaux wine producing estates in the Medoc dating back to the start of the 13th century. The Borie family took over the Estate in 1953 with Jean Eugene Borie at the helm. Bruno Borie currently oversees all operations. The second growth property is situated in St. Julien and makes some of the most ageworthy wines on the Left Bank.

I bought this bottle on release in 2001 or so and it has been properly cellared since. The cork was in perfect condition.

Ruby red in color with some bricking at the edge of the glass. 13% ABV. Regal, perfumed nose of currants, cedar and pencil shavings. Refined, elegant and exceptionally balanced. Cherries, currants, cassis and a touch of cigar on the palate. The finish is long with soft, silky tannins. Fantastic Claret from a somewhat difficult vintage on the Left Bank. More approachable at this point than the 95, 96 and certainly the 00. Drink over the next 3-5 years.

My rating: 94 points.

Current vintages of Ducru Beaucaillou will fluctuate between $125 and $200. Look for the 2014 at the lower end of that range.

Let me know if you have any requests for the May version of Pick My Next Bottle.

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