Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1995

Parker: Proprietor Bruno Borie noted this was a somewhat unusual blend this year: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. After this vintage, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot would no longer be included in the blend. Medium to deep brick in color, the 1995 Ducru-Beaucaillou explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of Indian spices, plum preserves, fruitcake and dried figs with nuances of potpourri, star anise, bouquet garni and espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of exotic spices and preserved black fruits, framed by firm, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic impact and length. Mature and drinking well now, there's still a good 12-15 years of kick left in this thoroughbred. 95/100

Galloni: The 1995 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in two-thirds new oak, has a very refined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, rose petal and cedar aromas, very focused and sophisticated. The palate is well balanced with sour red cherries, balsamic and cedar notes, vibrant and full of energy, though you might well argue it doesn’t quite have the panache and complexity of ensuing vintages on the finish. But it is certainly ageing well and is drinking perfectly now. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2040. 95/100

Falstaff: Dunkles Rubingranat, fast opaker Kern, zarte violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. In der Nase intensive dunkle Beerenfrucht, zartes Dörrzwetschkenaroma, nach Lakritze, Zedernholz, feine rauchige Würze, Nuancen von Kokos und Nougat. Am Gaumen saftig, komplexer Körper, besitzt eine runde, aber elegante Textur, ein sehr ausgewogener Wein, finessenreicher Säurebogen, besitzt ein kraftvolles Finale, bleibt gut haften, ist bereits antrinkbar, besitzt ein ausgezeichnetes Reifepotenzial. 94/100