1961 Ducru Beaucaillou
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Tasting notes
It has been four years since I last encountered the 1961 Ducru-Beaucaillou. This bottle had impeccable provenance: bought on release by Tour d'Argent restaurant in Paris, which eventually sold part of its cellar at auction. This is a magnificent Saint-Julien with a little more bricking on the rim than previous bottles, yet the nose is compelling with plenty of black fruit intertwined with Japanese nori, cedar and antique bureau, plus just a touch of swimming pool that you often find with 1961s. Wonderful delineation, and it blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, so fresh and vital with finely sculpted tannins. A little muscular initially, it gradually gains more and more composure with tobacco and sandalwood towards the finish. It has softened in recent years, mellowed, less stentorian than before, perhaps now just a small step down from its very lofty peak. Tasted at the 1961 dinner at Ami restaurant in Hong Kong.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
More reviews and scores
The 1961 Ducru-Beaucaillou, tasted at the chateau, is medium to deep brick in color. It opens with amazingly youthful, fragrant suggestions of cherry cordial, creme de cassis, rose oil, and spearmint, followed by touches of sandalwood and cigar box. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, with a refreshing backbone to counter all that spicy fruit, finishing long and perfumed.
A stunning example that hit all of its marks, starting with its haunting perfume loaded with tobacco, mushrooms, cedar chest, leather, currants, mint leaf, and cherries. Full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced perfectly between its regal character and layers of still vibrant, earthy, ripe, red fruits. The finish stuck its mark with close to 60 seconds of pleasure in every sip. A good bottle is a majestic tasting experience. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=Ch%C3%A2teau%20Ducru-Beaucaillou
I have been fortunate to taste the 1961 Ducru-Beaucaillou several times over 20 years, both blind and non-blind, at private dinners and at the château. It is a formidable 1961. This bottle has the vintage’s telltale chlorine tincture on the nose that is interwoven into the black fruit, peat and light cedar scents. It is extremely focused although not as vigorous as say, a decade ago. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, very saline in the mouth, full of tension and energy thank to its fine bead of acidity. As I remarked in my previous note, it is not a 1961 with a surfeit of finesse, but it has a dimension and gravitas that demands respect. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château.
About the producer
Second Growth estate Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien is one of the Super Seconds, an elite group of properties producing wines that regularly compete with the finest in the Médoc.