Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien 2009

100 points Robert Parker: "The 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou will eclipse the brilliant wines produced in 2005, 2003 and 2000. It will be interesting to see how the 2009 fares against the 2010 after twenty years of aging, but my money is on the 2009. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that achieved 13.5% natural alcohol, this inky purple, unctuous wine possesses classic aromas of graphite, creme de cassis, blueberries, violets, licorice and Christmas fruitcake. Full-bodied and intense with Ducru’s inimitable elegance and purity, it should firm up in the bottle after 7-10 years of cellaring and last for 40-50 years. Magnificent! (Feb 2012)"

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou is pure perfection and a much more sexy, opulent wine compared to the 2010. Crème de cassis, licorice, spice-box, lead pencil shavings and dried flower notes all – literally – soar from the glass of this incredible wine. Full-bodied, layered, expansive and deep, with sweet, sweet tannin and no hard edges, it’s already impossible to resist, yet is going to keep for four to five decades. I think the 2010 will be a longer-lived wine, but I’m not sure it will ever deliver the opulence or hedonistic pleasure of the 2009. Either way, that’s a fun comparison I look forward to having over the coming decades! Drink: 2020-2060. (11/30/17)"

99 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "Remarkably fresh and delicate nose yet classic and aromatic and full of spicy and graphite notes with liquorice, blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and cherry. Very fresh and elegant, the palate is formidable and shows the classic style of Ducru-Beaucaillou with its characteristic tension and upright structure and the powerful personality of a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine from one of the great terroirs of the Médoc. Bravo! Drinking Window: 2022-2040. (Jun 2021)"

99 points (19.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2009 proves to be in the same vein, a little coarser and warmer, but with outstanding distinction. (2014)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot). Such confidence and character on display in this wine, and these were the years when all the work of the new team under Bruno Borie began to seriously come on line. Sculpted and richly spiced, with cloves, aniseed, fennel, edges of creme de cassis, beautiful depth to the fruit, walking the line of full ripeness that is such a signature of the generous 2009 vintage without sacrificing mint leaf and slate freshness. Harvest September 23 to October 9. 100% new oak. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2023-2044. (4/23/23)"

97 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou has a tightly wound and almost Pauillac-like bouquet, veins of graphite strafing the black fruit, tightly wound but it is tremendously focused and vibrant. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin that disguise the density and grip of this Saint-Julien. Powerful to the point of being stentorian, yet utterly compelling, it will need another three or four years in bottle. Extremely impressive - a Ducru-Beaucaillou showing what it can do. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Drink: 2025-2055. (Mar 2019)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, is deep garnet in color. It bursts from the glass with bold notes of creme de cassis, boysenberry preserves, black cherry compote, and new leather followed by hints of tapenade, wood smoke, and truffles. The full-bodied palate is rich and densely laden with black fruit and savory layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and impressive tension, finishing long and earthy. Drink: 2023-2048. (9/9/23)"

97 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Somewhat closed, fine precious wood spice, ripe wild berry confit and orange zest, dark cherries, a hint of nougat, opens slowly with air. Complex, juicy and extract-sweet, ripe cherry fruit, fine, very well-integrated tannins, mineral-salty finish, has very good length, further potential for decades, appears relatively light-footed thanks to its perfect balance, can already be opened, but should ideally be allowed to mature for another five to ten years. (2/13/20)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Features plenty of flash and sizzle, with gorgeous, inviting mocha, espresso and chocolate notes up front, backed by a dense core of plum sauce, cassis, blackberry puree and blueberry reduction accents. Long, showing terrific polish, with a lovely lingering loam note and a buried singed apple wood edge that keeps everything driving through the finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. (3/31/13)"

96 points James Suckling: "The purity of fruit is wonderful in this, with plums, currants and hints of fresh mushrooms. Hints of cloves too. Full-bodied, with chewy, creamy tannins and a bright fresh finish. Super energy and intensity. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Better in 2018. (2/27/12)"