Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Since 2003, Bruno Borie, with the invaluable assistance of Éric Boissenot as his winemaking consultant, has helped this renowned cru regain its highest level of quality, coming very close to—and at times surpassing—certain premiers crus. The second wine, La Croix-de-Beaucaillou—which includes the remarkable vineyards of the former Terrey Gros Cailloux—has finally joined the ranks of the best in its category since 2005. A third Saint-Julien, Lalande-Borie—a long-established and highly regarded brand in the wine trade—is a supple, elegant, and early-drinking wine made from vines that belonged to Château Lagrange in 1855.

Decanter

About the wine:

Such a vibrant and brilliant color in the glass, with a bright pink rim. Ripe, almost heady aromas: fragrant wild berries, with a dried floral note and hints of dark chocolate. Ripe and full-bodied on the palate, though not as seductive and velvety as Ducru usually is; here it is more grainy and a bit tighter, with pronounced tannins and structure, set against a backdrop of black fruit. Serious, even sensual, with distinct woody notes—licorice and clove. The bouquet is absolutely incredible, intensely rich, but it hasn’t quite found its balance yet. Mouth-watering acidity, superb tannic structure: this wine is very rich. The finish is fresh, lively, and airy. I love its intensity, quite different from that of many other wines from this vintage—it’s built like a racehorse, muscular and full-bodied, yet also velvety and supple. I love its personality, and I believe this wine has a long life ahead of it. It possesses purity, clarity, and brilliance. pH of 3.74. A yield of 22 hl/ha. Harvested from September 2 to 23.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Lovers of great classic Médoc wines will find what they’re looking for with Ducru-Beaucaillou. Bruno Borie manages this superb estate with talent and determination; in recent years, he has positioned it among the top Bordeaux wines. Never ostentatious, nor over-extracted nor overly powerful, these wines shine for their distinction and the silky texture of their body. These are deep, easy-drinking, and well-balanced great Médoc wines. Be warned, however: since a Ducru-Beaucaillou only fully reveals itself with age, it’s always a shame to taste it too early; its great freshness on the finish and the elegant texture of its tannins are a testament to the exceptional character of its terroir. Croix de Beaucaillou, the château’s former second wine, is now a cru in its own right, with its own dedicated vineyard plots.

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Deep purple in color and completely opaque, the 2025 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou— Favorite true Favorite—is composed of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, all aged in 100% new oak barrels. The nose is rich and concentrated, with notes of pure blackcurrant liqueur, graphite, ripe black cherries, spicy oak, and aromas reminiscent of a freshly sharpened pencil. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a dense and concentrated mid-palate, ripe and developing tannins, and a beautiful finish. It has an alcohol content of 13.44% and a pH of 3.8. This structured, pure, and incredibly precise Ducru reminds me slightly of the 2010, perhaps with an extra touch of finesse.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The finesse and depth of the bouquet are evident right from the start—straightforward, yet precise and methodical. It feels as though I’m talking with my friend Bruno Borie! The subtlety and complexity open the door to a thousand and one sensory experiences, where each element complements the others with rare precision. The bouquet alone reveals the greatness of Ducru Beaucaillou. Notable notes, among others, include hints of graphite, cedar, blackberries, and licorice root. On the palate, the wine impresses with its ability to channel its power, reveal its nuances with finesse and precision, and express its clear connection to the gravelly-clay terroir (Graves de Güns). The tannins have depth and grip, yet are nonetheless fine and subtle. They provide a serene and precise vigor, accompanied by an acidity that is as incisive as it is structuring, which highlights the wine’s character while carefully maintaining finesse as its focus. A moving, touching Ducru—so true to itself, so magnificent. It doesn’t even need to adapt to the passage of time; it stands on its own, not out of whim, but out of sincerity. A true personality: imposing, persistent, and exhilarating! 2033–2070

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Five-spice, roses, irises, and white flowers are just part of the aromatic palette. There are also notes of licorice, espresso, smoke, tobacco, blackberries, and black cherries. However, it is the palate that steals the show, with its array of sensual, silky, and refined red and black fruits, Asian spices, chocolate, aromatic herbs, and mint leaves. The full-bodied finish combines power and elegance. Everything is in perfect balance, offering a lingering and harmonious finish that allows you to appreciate the purity and richness of the fruit, which lingers for over 60 seconds. This wine is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, with an alcohol content of 13.44% and a pH of 3.74. The harvest took place from September 2 to 23. The year 2025 marked the earliest and longest harvest in the estate’s history. Yields were 22 hectoliters per hectare. Best enjoyed between 2032 and 2070.