2005 Ducru Beaucaillou

The 2005 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is still stunning, with an incredible bouquet of ripe currants, spicy herbs, tobacco, and smoke, with a kiss of savory flowers in the background. Rich, full-bodied, and powerful on the palate, it has nicely integrated tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and awesome length on the finish. It's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years or so of prime drinking.

Fully ripe red cherry, cassis and blackberry fruits. with exotic turmeric and clove spice notes. Plenty of supple texture through the palate, with softened tannins and St Julien balance. Higher Merlot content than you would find in the wine today, this is a 2005 with hints of tertiary truffles, saffran and oyster shell, finessed and welcoming. Harvest September 21 to October 6. 100% new oak. Eric and Jacques Boissenot consultants.

'The growing season was exceptionally dry and sunny with just enough moisture at the right times to nourish the vines. Temperatures were frequently above average, but without heatwave extremes, and the night temperatures in August through October were cool, keeping pH levels in check. Grapes were harvested in picture-perfect conditions. The result was small grapes with perfectly ripened skins, exceptional concentration, and exquisite freshness.' Harvest: 21 September – 6 October. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot. 18 months in new French oak.  'A magnificent, easy vintage', added Bruno Borie. On their tech sheet they describe it as 'mythic'. Deep garnet. Smells elegant and minerally with refined dark fruit, peppery cigar box. Firm, rich, dense and still so youthful, and fragrant as it opens. Massive but harmonious, rich in fruit and structure and with enough freshness for a magnificent whole. Long finish and many years to go. A marked fruit/oak sweetness on the finish. (JH)