2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien with crushed black fruit and

with crushed black fruit and a hint of oaky vanilla

This wine offers up copious aromas of black raspberries

Shows such balance and beauty already

and finishes with enough acid to give it lift and length

" Maybe they'll be inspired to check out the higher-end

2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien with crushed black fruit andA big wine for the year, the 2012 Ducru Beaucaillou possesses striking depth and intensity from start to finish. Sweet tobacco, cedar, smoke and savory herb overtones add intrigue to this deep, fleshy Saint Julien. I imagine the 2012 will age for several decades based on its fruit density. Whether the tannins ever become noble is another question. Still, it is impossible not to admire the wine's pure depth. (AG)