Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai — 17 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

What a wine and did not show it’s 43 year age at all. The color was very dark with no brick edge. The nose was a bit subdued but had the typical berries, herbs and meat notes that carried over to a very tasty wine. The finish was okay not super long but long enough.

I started buying Beaucastel maybe a few years before this 1978 vintage and in Parker’s reviews of the 1978 vintage was a consistent hold but he did change his mind years down the road and said it was over the hill; well not by a long shot. I constantly purchased 2 or 3 bottle of every vintage till the price was out on my reach in 2001. I also had visited the winery in about 1990. The real kicker with this vintage is the current price estimates of $150 to about $250, current vintages run $80+ and I purchased this bottle for $11.99.
— 4 years ago

with Matt and Barbara

Mark Farrell

9.5

Deep ruby in color with slight brick color on the rim. Nose is quite pleasing with berry compote, lavender, and dark chocolate. Also a bit of earthiness. Wow. A great mouthfeel on this wine. Well balanced with tannins still a bit heavy. That said, I like my wines with a bit more tannic backbone. These notes are from pop and pour taste. Will let it open up a bit and will update if it changes significantly. — 9 months ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.3

One of my favorite years. Enough said. — 3 years ago

with Daniel and Michael

Dan Michael

9.2

Another spot on wine from Morgan, I love the back label story about his grandmother passing along the love of wine in their family. Grenache is so much about how it is grown, and the sourcing for this wine delivers great fruit. The winemaking is restrained which lets the fruit shine thru. What a lock with our Applewood smoked baby back ribs! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Very dark Ruby in colour, particularly for a 20 year old red wine. Classic Margaret River Cabernet from a great vintage. Herbaceous with mulberry and dark berry aromas. Cedary. Dense on the palate - gorgeous mouth feel - Barb said viscous. Tannins largely resolved. As good as 20 year old Australian Cabernet gets and it would go on for another 5 to 10 years. Wish I had more. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon; 3% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot. — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Delicious pairing with duck. Reminds me of old Ravenswood 👌🏻👌🏻 — a year ago

Ericsson

9.4

Probably said this before: pound for pound this is the best Napa Cab out there. This vintage specifically is riveting: bright dark fruit with incredible acidity and depth on the palate. Balanced, round tannins, medium alcohol and notes of fig and cedar on the medium plus finish. Yup, hats of to this pretty little dear in 2020. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2002 vintage.Tasted at the Château, showing very well at 4 pm The person who opened the bottle said it was closed in the beginning, she double-decanted in the morning. A beautiful Lafite from a forgotten vintage, elegant, profound and very long. — 3 years ago

Konstantin K

9.1

Not too dry — 4 years ago