Sign In

2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Removed from a subterranean, temperature and humidity controlled residential cellar; Purchased at auction; Consignor is second owner

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

96The Wine Advocate

...flamboyant scents of baked black currants, raisin cake, prunes, Chinese five spice and eucalyptus plus touches of cigar box, new leather and cast iron pan. Medium-bodied, the palate is remarkably refreshing with all these decadent spice and dried berries layers coating the palate, textured by soft, powdery tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. Stunning!

96James Suckling

It shows wonderful aromas of roses and currants with hints of mint. It's full body yet very finely textured with pretty fruit concentration and length.

96Decanter Magazine (points)

Moccha, pine and mushroom notes...masses of sweet, dark currant fruit on the palatae with plenty of acidity to keep the wine fresh and alive. Concentrated and long...

94Wine Spectator

...great focus as the cedar, bay and leather notes race along with, rather than pull away from, the core of fig and blackberry fruit flavors. The long, bittersweet cocoa–dusted finish provides a solid bass line.

93.7CellarTracker

93Vinous / IWC

...quite intense black cherries, boysenberry, prune and fig aromas...medium-bodied with saturated tannins...has a firm backbone, grainy tannins, liquorice-tinged black fruit with a grippy, almost menthol finish.

92+ Stephen Tanzer

Very pure aromas of cassis, minerals and mocha, with a hint of raw berries.

16.5Jancis Robinson

Gentle, evolved nose reminiscent of dunked digestive biscuits. Spicy top note. Mouth-filling and lovely... Long and flattering. Gentle.

PRODUCER

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is a Second-Growth estate in the St.-Julien appellation. The estate’s history goes back centuries, and five families have owned and operated it over many generations. Today the 128-acre estate is owned by the Borie family, who purchased it in 1941. The family also owns Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Château Haut-Batailley. Ducru-Beaucaillou means “beautiful stones,” and the estate was named after the impressive, large stones in the region. Vineyards are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. About 220,000 bottles are produced annually. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “the wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou is the essence of elegance, symmetry, balance, breed, class and distinction.”

REGION

France, Bordeaux, St.-Julien

Saint-Julien is the smallest of the four main Médoc appellations with 2,175 acres of vineyards. It is just south of Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde, and although it has no First Growth châteaux, its 11 Classified Growth estates are widely admired. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that winemaking in Saint-Julien from all classifications “is consistently both distinctive and brilliant.” He adds it is Médoc’s “most underrated commune.” The best-known estates are Léoville Las Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton and Gruaud Larose, and most of those have riverside estates. The soil in this appellation is gravelly with clay. Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape grown, and it is blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and sometimes small amounts of Petit Verdot.

VINTAGE

2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou