Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

Really enjoyed this last night, probably it is the last of three. All I recall from previous experience is a very decent wine, balanced, medium bodied and exceeding expectations in light of the generally pedestrian rep of this vintage on the left bank. Anyway this one had a nice dark color still, some coffee/cocoa/cola in the bouquet, a very round mouthfeel and quite resolved tannins--just a whisker in the finish, bolstered by appropriate acidity. In fact except for a slight sensation of added smoothness, this wine seems not to have changed in the past 10 years. It was approachable from the first. In this case it was approachable from the first pour but seemed to sweeten and deepen over a couple of hours. In general the few left bank 98s I've had from the Haut Medoc (Gloria, Tour St. Joseph and Latour off the top of my head) had were pretty satisfying.

Nice. I remember back in the day when cases of 1998 Ducru were going for a song. IIRC something like £220ib. Like a fool I didn't bite. Fortunately I have decent quantities of 1995/96/99/2000. This was a strong period for Ducru (1995-2000).

was it the 95 Ducru that shot up in the ratings and prices doubled instantly?

i own few 2002 Ducru based on Jim How's recommendation of the left bank 2002 but haven't drank them yet

Yes Emil, the 1995 Ducru was featured in that famous Wine Spectator article on Bordeaux that came out in 1998 by Suckling.
I remember we could get it for $50 on the shelf in NH but it went up in price not long afterwards.

I thought the 98 D-B was one of the best left banks from that year.

I also miss those days when I could freely send a case or two of Ducru Beaucaillou to family and friends just to share the joy of a good wine, under appreciated by the broader market. Now, I only send it to a special friend.

Nice! The 1998 Chateau Léoville Las Cases is also a tremendous wine for the vintage.

Nic

I thought the 1998 Ducru was nice but it lacked a wow factor.

JimHow wrote:I thought the 1998 Ducru was nice but it lacked a wow factor.

This probably sums up the Medoc as a whole in 1998.

True.