Ducru Beaucaillou 1988

The 1988 Ducru is a medium-bodied wine, without the profound depth and sheer intensity of fruit of the 1989. Possessing high tannins and good ripeness, with an overall sense of compactness and toughness, it recalls the style of the best 1966 Medocs. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted 1/93

The 1988 Ducru-Beaucaillou, a late picked vintage (30 September to 12 October) feels a little staid on the nose. Black fruit, touches of lavender, but there seems to be little energy or tension. The palate is better with black cherries and briary, but there is a greenness that is more jarring here than on the bottle I tasted at the estate three years earlier, suggesting that bottles should be consumed in the near future. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Drink between 2021-2025)

Proprietor Bruno Borie referred to this as "the Indian Summer vintage." Medium to deep brick in color with a hint of brown, the 1988 Ducru-Beaucaillou gives up pronounced notes of leather, Chinese five spice, sandalwood and cigar box with a core of dried figs and cranberries plus hints of fruitcake and smoked meats. Medium-bodied and mature, the palate still possesses a fair bit of chew with lingering notions of exotic spices and black tea, finishing with a fragrant dried herbs lift.

This is a little softer than the 1986, with coffee, plum and cassis notes. It's highly appealing right now, sweet and caressing as it opens in the glass, but this is one to drink within the next five to 10 years. The exact blend was not recorded, so the blend shown reflects the vineyard plantings, with 5% Petit Verdot. (Drink between 2019-2030)