1996 Ch. Ducru Beaucaillou

This dry wine is deep clear ruby in colour. It gives a pronounced blackcurrant and cedar nose with trace of elegant wood and wet leaf, together with a significant pencil-shaping flavour. It has medium to full body with medium acidity. The tannins is ripe and supple. In palate, a mouthful of soft, round, ripe and sweet tannin makes this wine well balanced. The flavours are consistently carried over from the nose to palate with a medium finish. This is highly enjoyable and outstandingly made, no wonder why it is called the Lafite of St. Julien. A perfect example of a good vintage St. Julien. (95) (Tasted on 8 December 2008, reposted)