Norman

9.5

I will start by saying that Hillside Select is a great wine and suggesting otherwise sounds rediculous. That said I was hoping for more punch here and I think the 13yrs just tamed it more than I expected. It just seemed a bit muted to me and while I gave it some time/air it didn’t really open up that much more. — 2 months ago

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 — 7 months ago

Katelin

9.0

Love. The aroma smells like notes of briny olives. Tannic but still smooth. — 2 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Wonderful spice and acidity, wears its 14% well. Excellent with deep dish pizza — 5 months 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. — 3 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.8

Big year. Not perfect but close, nothing new to be said about these wines, just happy to enjoy it once in a while. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. With @Beth Novak . Decanted and tasted after one hour. Medium body. Nose practically leapt out of the glass with plenty to discuss. Flavors a bit more subdued but definitely present. Just enough back-end, tannic presence to hold court. This should be absolute dynamite in 3-5 years. Initial visit a bit over two years ago (9.5) and was more explosive but will cede that to the last impression getting more air time. Said then that this was my fave since the 1991 vintage and sticking by that. 1.2.26. — 5 months ago

carl thornblade

9.0

A little green in flavor (as in unripe), too acidic, but had some elements of tropical fruit, just not full and ripe. Has potential but not the best. — 2 years ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.3

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

with Daniel and Michael

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