Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2eme Cru 1985

Jeff Leve: Fully mature in the color, texture and nose, you find forest floor, herbs, cherry pipe tobacco and wet earth aromatics. Medium bodied, soft, silky, elegant and with a bit of dust in the tannins, the wine ends with cocoa powder and cassis. 91/100 (2017)

Robert Parker: Proprietor Bruno Borie mentioned that this was a late vintage. They started to pick on 30th September, finishing on 11th October. He didn't have exact grape percentages for this year, but he thinks it is probably 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Pale to medium brick-brown colored, the 1985 Ducru-Beaucaillou slowly unfurls to reveal notes of Christmas pudding, dried cranberries and bouquet garni with nuances of cast iron pan, dusty soil and woodsmoke. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm, chewy backbone and oodles of freshness with a core of dried herbs and stewed tea and a slightly rustic finish. 90/100 (2020)