Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996
Available at 12 stores
Ratings on Delectable
Delectable Wine 
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The 1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. Matured in two-thirds new oak, it has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, estuarine scents, touches of liquorice emerging with time. It is higher-toned than the 1995 with iodine evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh acidity, quite sweet in the mouth and maybe like the 1995, just missing that complexity and terroir expression that I think has defined recent vintages from this estate. Maybe it is slightly compromised by some Merlot (25%) that was picked a but later, but still, there is a lot of pleasure to be found in this 1996. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
The 1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. Matured in two-thirds new oak, it has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, estuarine scents, touches of liquorice emerging with time. It is higher-toned than the 1995 with iodine evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh acidity, quite sweet in the mouth and maybe like the 1995, just missing that complexity and terroir expression that I think has defined recent vintages from this estate. Maybe it is slightly compromised by some Merlot (25%) that was picked a but later, but still, there is a lot of pleasure to be found in this 1996. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
9.3Jim Gallagher
Classic Claret
Classic Claret
9.3
David Langstaff
Drinking from double magnum. Beautiful. Tannins receding, flavor filling out. Not too fruity. Great earth. Great balance. Way to spend Halloween.
Drinking from double magnum. Beautiful. Tannins receding, flavor filling out. Not too fruity. Great earth. Great balance. Way to spend Halloween.
9.3
ADAM STROMFELD
Anise and silky smooth black olives and a bit thin. A quick finish cherries . Still a young baby. This really needs to be revisited in 7-10 years
Anise and silky smooth black olives and a bit thin. A quick finish cherries . Still a young baby. This really needs to be revisited in 7-10 years
9.2
