The 2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou, tasted a dozen times since en primeur, was picked 21 September to 6 October, matured in 90% new oak for 18 months. It delivers a wall of black fruit on the nose that gradually opens up with aeration, touches of incense and wild mint, cedar coming through with time. But these aromatics remain very backward. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grippy tannins, fine acidity, solid and focused. Tremendously and uncompromisingly backward, this is a seriously fine Ducru-Beaucaillou that is just not yet ready, so go back to the cellar and leave it there for another five years. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
— a year ago
A last bottle from Rock Wall. They closed up for ever, so these are literally the last of these bottles ever. 14.68% ABV! Ripe fruits. Deep color. Crimson and opaque. Smells pretty much like a complex style Zin. Berry jams and campfires. Hint of a licorice scent in the mix too. Flavors are lovely. Balanced and dense. Zin fruit flavor coupled with a bit of rock and mossy streams. (Label mentions nutmeg, honey, ground pepper, berry pie and cappuccino. I can see most of that. But this isn’t fruit bombed or too syrupy at all). Sad to see you go Rock Wall, you were always worth a splurge at Grocery Outlet. — 6 months ago
1975 vintage. Decanted with oodles of sed. Ambitious, older Graves nose. Medium (still) bodied. Frontal and mid palates satisfied but finish/end palate hit a wall and flatlined. Still, fairly nice showing with a decent amount of fruit kicking about. 9.21.23. — 2 months ago
v14. Delicious! Dried herb nose. Rich, deep, black cherry and plum fruit. Velvety smooth, long, slightly tight, mocha and leather finish. — a year ago
Very nice syrah. Well balanced, nice lingering finish. Lots of fruit on the nose. Fruit forward in the pallet. Although high in alcohol it doesn't drink that way. It isn't hot in the least. — 2 years ago
Best vintage I’ve tasted. More balanced and a lot smoother than 13,14,15. A bright wine in a very tragic fire year — 3 years ago
Bob McDonald
Brief notes. Family dinner at my brothers house - sister and her hubby visiting from England. This selection from Mike’s Wall of Wendouree “. This was more black fruit plummy opulence than usual for Wendouree. Rich and intense which is par for the course with this producer. Consumed a little young at only 14 years of age. This is the Cabernet Malbec not the Shiraz Mataro. — a month ago