Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St Julien 1855 2ième Cru 2003

Bruno Borie’s first year back at his home estate, arriving on January 3 2003, ready for this unusually (at the time) hot vintage. As with many of the great St Julien and Pauillac 2003s right now, this has held up exceptionally well and is still delivering. The fruit character is ripe, with sweet spices, blackberry and raspberry puree, campfire crackle, dried roses, tobacco, black truffle. Not hiding the vintage, but infusing its exotic character with freshness and balance. Lightly placed tannins, softened and integrated. Barrel ageing up from 12 to 18 months from this point, and 100% new oak. Harvest September 15 to 25. Eric and Jacques Boissenot consultants.