«Un assemblage à 90% cabernet sauvignon et 10% merlot. Sa race est éclatante, combinant fruité acidulé, densité de matière et qualite de tanins. Séveux, le vin se déploie par vagues et s'éternise en bouche.»

«This has a warm and inviting feel, with mocha, Christmas pudding and blackberry and plum compote aromas and gavors gowing through atop geshy, velvety structure. There’s a graphite edge along with some alluring spice accents, and this stays polished and lengthy in the end.»

«Holy.... This is so powerful and dense with amazing depth of fruit and beautifully ripe tannins tannins. Full body, layers of fruit and tannins. It’s has a long finish but then kicks off at the end. Remains classic in style.»

«There was no frost at Ducru-Beaucaillou in 2017 due to its proximity to the estuary. This barrel sample comes from the final blend, which was made in early 2018. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot and sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2017 Ducru-Beaucaillou is intensely scented of blackcurrant cordial, blackberries and lavender with hints of crushed rocks, iron ore, rose hips and Provence herbs plus touches of wood smoke and sandalwood. Medium-bodied, very firm and grainy in the mouth, it possesses lovely freshness, lifting the intense flavors, finishing long and minerally. Sporting an incredible core of muscular mid-palate fruit, this wine should age incredibly.»

«A little less intense and concentrated than the 2016, this focusses more on rich, smoky, finessed aromatics. The overall feel is gourmet and well textured, with some welcoming rich spice. A serious contender for the top St Julien in 2017, this has wonderfully fleshy blackberry fruits, a screech of graphite adding some mineral overtones, and a great dash of grilled oak. 7,500 cases of Ducru this year instead of 10,000 - they weren't affected by frost, but the Cabernets were just less generous this year, down to around 30hl/ha. This is accomplished winemaking, with great energy and poise. 100% new oak. 3.79pH.»

«Dichtes Purpurgranat mit schwarzer Mitte. Konzentriertes blaubeeriges Bouquet mit Anflug von intensivem Holunder und reifen Heidelbeeren. Im zweiten Ansatz duftige Veilchen. parfümierter Pfeifentabak und frischer Milchkaffee. Am Gaumen mit seidigen, bereits abgerundeten Tanninen. Eine perfekte Verbindung von Finesse und Kraft. Besticht durch Eleganz und endet in einem sehr langen Finale mit verführerischer Kirschfrucht. tiefgründigen Graphitnoten und zarter Adstringenz. «A very academic construction», meint ein äusserst zufriedener Bruno Boria. Er war der letzte Top-St-Julien, den ich an diesem Tag verkosten durfte und sich prompt an die Spitze der Appellation katapultierte. Eine Symphonie in 7! Im Zweitwein waren deutliche kernige Aromen und etwas Unreife erkennbar, da zeigte sich die strenge Selektion für den Grand Vin.»