1998 Ducru Beaucaillou
By Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
1998 Ducru Beaucaillou from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
In the pantheon of remarkable vintages from the left bank of Bordeaux, the 1998 Ducru Beaucaillou from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou graces us with its poised nobility. A wine that has entered its plateau of maturity, revealing layers of complexity bestowed upon it by the earnest rays of the 1998 summer and a savoir-faire in vinification typical of St-Julien's revered chateaux.
A Vintage with Character
The 1998 vintage in St-Julien was one of contrasts and challenges, which led many producers to agility and precision in their craft. The season saw a warm and dry early summer followed by cooler spells in July and August. Possible catastrophe was narrowly evaded with radiant September sunshine saving the harvest. This dance with the elements has rewarded us with wines that encapsulate both structure and splash of vivacity. The 1998 Ducru Beaucaillou exhibits a brilliant garnet hue, suggesting its seamless transition into a state of graceful ageing.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the wine offers a seductive bouquet where dark fruits mingle with whispers of truffle and tobacco – a testament to its evolution. The palate is greeted by a medley of ripe cassis, plums, and a hint of cedar. It's an opulent texture we find here; silken tannins weave through like fine threads in an ancient tapestry. Yet there remains an undeniably fresh backbone – a lift provided perhaps by the early acidity of autumn, gently leading to an elongated finish.
Harmony exists between the power and elegance in this bottle, making it a sought-after contributor to discriminating collections. For investors attuned to wines displaying bravura coupled with the finesse born of their unique narrative, the 1998 Ducru Beaucaillou is a holding of intrigue.
Investment Merits
In an oenophile’s portfolio, vintage specificity holds considerable weight. The 1998 Ducru Beaucaillou stands as one such vintage that commands attention due to its singular identity forged in turbulent weather patterns yet resulting in a mellow maturity that resonates with seasoned collectors and enthusiasts alike.
In conclusion, this vintage with its tale spun from adversity into elegance embodies not only the essence of St-Julien terroir but is an illustrative chapter in the chronicles of fine wine investment – offering both sensory pleasure and potential appreciation over time.
Market price (GBP)
£1,580.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
112.86
Scores and tasting notes
Served at the Ducru offline in London, this is a wonderful 1998 Saint Julien. Like the 1999, it begins quite taciturn on the nose but opens up with a little patience. Darker fruit than the 1999, briary, cedar, cigar box, stronger sous-bois aromas with a hint of iodine, swelling with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent red-berried fruit that actually remind me of the 1995. There is a citrus thread running through this wine, very focused and demonstrating supreme elegance on the finish, those supple tannins 'tickling' the palate with their charms. Probably one of the most elegant Ducru Beaucaillou wines in recent years. Drink now-2025. Tasted September 2009.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2010
A supremely elegant, dense purple-colored effort, the 1998 reveals aromas of cassis, black raspberries, minerals, and currants. Precise, well-delineated, and medium to full-bodied, with magnificent purity and understated elegance, this noble, restrained wine reveals a tannic finish, suggesting 4-5 more years of cellaring is warranted. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2001