Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2006

Subtle aromas of currants, blueberries and minerals. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a fine, fine finish. I love the texture of this wine, and it’s just starting to show you its true quality. Start drinking—one of the top wines of this vintage.

Better in 2016

Ideal with a three-hour carafe.

This was a vintage that took time to shake off its serious side, and the tannins remain pretty sombre, but set against the classicism of the cassis and blueberry fruits is plenty of slate, graphite, cocoa, pepper, turmeric and black chocolate that adds richness and power. Softening to show the first hints of tertiary, with classic St Julien character and lovely fresh acidities. A subdued vintage that has grown into its balance. The first year with Virginie Sallette as winemaker, promoted to technical director in 2008. Harvest September 18 to October 7.

Drink 2023 - 2040

The 2006 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is up-front and even a little evolved, with a charming, medium-bodied style and notes of red and black fruits, dried flowers, spice, and foresty, earthy nuances. With medium-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a layered mouthfeel, this is clearly in its prime drinking window. I don’t see any upside here, but this has lots of character, brings rock-solid mid-palate depth, and displays a more seamless, elegant style compared to the 2004.

Deep garnet in colour, the 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou delivers expressive Black Forest cake, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate box scents with touches of fertile loam, espresso, Marmite toast and black olives. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly played with vibrant fruit expression and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with a lively lift.

Drink 2020 - 2035

This classic, backward, tannic St.-Julien is made in the style of the 1996 and 1986. The 2006 Ducru Beaucaillou possesses a dense purple colour along with a sweet perfume of graphite, black raspberries, cassis, liquorice, and subtle toasty oak. Despite their prominent place in the wine’s structure, the sweetness of the tannins and the full-bodied, muscular style suggest exceptional patience will be required. This is a big, substantial, meaty, masculine wine built for considerable longevity.

Drink 2016 - 2035

2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a textbook wine considering the growing season with a somewhat closed bouquet of blackberries, blackcurrant, truffle, liquorice and graphite aromas. It is medium to full-bodied, lively, and firm on the mid palate with a bit of sharp tannins and lively acidity on the finish. This is a lovely wine possessing real terroir expression and a strong effort in the context of the vintage.

Drink 2022 - 2030

Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.

The 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 90% new oak, has quite a captivating, very attractive bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, peony, crushed rocks and blood orange - one of my favourite aromatics on the Left Bank in this growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity, quite linear and “solid”. There is a lot of concentration towards the finish, a dab of spice that leaves the tongue tingling. Maybe it could benefit from more nuance and personality on the finish, but it is certainly a very fine Saint-Julien for the vintage.

Drink 2025 - 2048