2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

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.

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.

The cold, dry winter followed by mid-April showers led to later budding and allowed the soils to stock the required water for the upcoming season. May and June were warm and sunny leading to fast, early flowering. The summer was dry and warm, without extremes of heat, but was exceptionally sunny with just the right amount of rain at the right times. September 21 until the end of harvest saw a dry spell with above seasonal temperatures, especially in October, ideal for the final ripening of the skins.' Harvest: 23 September – 9 October. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 18 months in new French oak. According to the Ducru rating scale, another 'mythic' vintage. Deep garnet with narrow brick rim. Complex and classic aromas of cigar box, really fragrant with air, and then leaner and fresher in the mouth than expected. Chewy and sinewy and really enjoyable now. Still a big wine.