Raun Kupiec

8.9

Lots of tar, tea, and maybe a bit of deep fruit, but I found it quite closed even after more than an hour uncorked. Tannins were still prominent but the wine was just not fragrant enough this time. I usually really love Phélan Ségur, this time it was just good. — 5 months ago

with Eli and Barbara

NG

9.0

Smooth, medium body with dry finish. Found at Rosmore LCBO $17 — 4 years ago

Christina Ahlheim

9.0

Found at Walmart! — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.5

Rather suddenly, and without much explanation, Bordeaux found itself in the middle of my crosshairs as being the next place I wanted to conduct a deep dive in. With this shift in my general attention from New World to Old World I began to do more research on the various appellations, prominent chateaus, and nuances of Left Bank and Right Bank, as well as compile a spreadsheet highlighting specific bottles I wanted to seek out. For a reason unbeknownst to me, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the producer I wanted to start my deep dive with. I researched the history of the chateaux, learned about their wines, priced out vintages that were immediately available for my acquisition, and added it to my Bordeaux spreadsheet, waiting for the time to pull the trigger and purchase a bottle (or two) to start the trek with. As far as wines are concerned it was all I could think about: Ducru-Beaucaillou. Apparently, the mere act of researching a chateau left me beguiled, craving a wine I had never even had before! With all of this research in mind I’ve learned over the years that as much as I thoroughly enjoy researching and trying wine, it’s certainly more enjoyable to share the knowledge and the experiences with others. Enter @codyuzzel, who has heard more than his fair share of my wine ramblings over the years. One day we began discussing Bordeaux, Left Bank v. Right bank, and changes in our thought patterns about the region over the years, which eventually lead him to asking the million-dollar question: Are there any producers you’ve highlighted that you’re particularly interested in? I told him that Ducru-Beaucaillou was in my crosshairs, along with a handful of other producers that I’d explore once I’d tried Ducru. That’s when he texted me the picture; a picture of him holding a glorious bottle of 2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou. “I took this pic before we started this conversation.” Given the serendipitous nature of this occurrence he extended an invitation to pop the cork upon our next meeting, which is interesting in and of itself given that I had been thinking about visiting him at the wine bar just earlier that day. It’s moments like these that truly make the wine journey a sweet and rewarding one. Thanks, Cody, for your generosity and epic invitations.
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Anise, graphite, plums, and blackberries. Very polished and very delicious. — 7 years ago

with Cody

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Light app tonight for dinner. Burrata, roasted garlic, two different cherry tomatoes picked tonight from the garden, pesto sauce, olive oil and Tondo balsamic vinegar. The only balsamic to use. Found it in Tuscany years ago and it’s all we use. You can order it on Amazon but, not inexpensive. All over, crostini’s drizzled with smoked olive oil. Soooo good!

The nose reveals, sweet & sour dark cherries, dark berry mix, stewed dark plum, blue fruit hues, touch of baked strawberries, tomato with leaf, sweet tarry notes, limestone minerals, dark rich soil, light baking spices and dark & blue fresh florals.

The body is medium full. Soft, round, tannins 70% resolved. The structure, length, tension has hit a high point. Ripe; sweet & sour dark cherries, dark berry mix, stewed dark plum, blue fruit hues and a touch of baked strawberries. Tomato with leaf, sweet tarry notes, on the long decant, add malt & light caramel, used leather, saddle-wood/cedar, limestone minerals, dark rich soil, medium dark spice, light baking spices and dark & blue fresh florals. The acidity is nice. The finish is good, balanced and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the tasting room at Produttori which is just under and to the right of the clock tower in the arial photo, arial view of the hilltop town of Barbaresco and our delicious small plate.

Producer note...Produttori is the third largest co-op in all of Europe. Be that they are a co-op, they still make some exceptional wines as well as great QPR wines. 🇮🇹 — 8 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 7 months ago

Heather Rostker

9.1

Great Tempranillo, we like their Rose so excited to try this one. Dave found in Vermont — 5 years ago

with Dave

Glenn Nick

9.3

Thanks @Jimmy E ! — 7 years ago

Steve Kersting

9.5

I've really grown to love chianti lately and this is the best value I've found yet — 7 years ago

Carl Tominberg

9.2

Dark ruby color. Bold and rich tasting. Found it to be excellent. Glad I bought 2. — 7 years ago

Heather Camm

9.0

Friendsgiving wine — 8 years ago

Nathan Rogers

9.5

Found this in my grandma’s station wagon. Still pretty delicious...Merry Christmas all you Delectable Deplorable’s... — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Found a bottle, aging nicely. A blend of 76% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec & 4% Petit Verdot, 18 months in 60% new French oak, deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of berry fruit, sweet herb and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, ripe blackberry and currants with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Long finish, grippy ripe tannins ending with graphite and earthy mineral. Drink now & over next few years, I still have a few bottles in cellar! — 4 years ago

Reggie Sheehan

9.5

One of the best Caymus SS we have tasted. First one out of the case and found the 2008 to be drinking well!! — 4 years ago

with Brennan

Lauren Baldwin

9.5

I found this to be delicious after about a year-long hiatus from Cabernet Sauvignon. Would purchase again. — 6 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.0

Toasty, lush, virile and opulent. Manages to retain some acidity despite the hot vintage, but overall I found this far too young to enjoy thoroughly. The oak is rather dominant. — 7 years ago

Joey Kee

9.2

Ha! The comments on this wine are amazingly varied. I found it very overt on a chocolate tip, and more robust on the fruit side than your usual PINOT...but I really enjoyed it, would buy again.... — 7 years ago

Jack Gyben

9.9

A Bordeaux that we found in its perfect drinking moment. Fruit, age, elegance all in one place. Oh my! — 8 years ago

Hector GMW

9.3

A family favorite! Our champagne of choice. We've been drinking this awesome bottle for special occasions for more than 15 years. It keeps surprising us every time. Medium body. Golden apples, hazelnuts and buttered toast can be found on the nose. Creamy, tart and tasty on the palate. Very long finish. Excellent! — 8 years ago

Barb colbert

9.5

Another great table red! Found on sale in the PA state store for $10.99 — 9 years ago