2015 Château Beauséjour Duffau

Description

100   James Suckling
“This is extraordinary. There has never been a wine like this here since the famous 1990 or underrated 1989. Violets, flowers, stones and limestone. Oyster-shell undertones. Full-bodied, muscular and so structured. A phenomenal wine that reminds me of the great Bordeaux of the 1950s. Try in 2026.” (2/2018)

98    Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“One of the undisputed stars of the vintage, the 2015 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is dark, brooding and explosive to its core. The essence of super-ripe dark cherry, plum, graphite, crushed rocks, gravel, smoke and incense infuses a dramatic, sweeping Saint-Émilion endowed with superb power and intensity. Sumptuous, spectacularly rich and also massively structured, the 2015 is going to need at least a decade to come into its own. Those lucky enough to find it are in for a treat, as the 2015 is a total stunner. Nicolas Thienpont and his team hit a number of home runs in 2015, including at Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse, where both wines are simply great. Tasted two times with consistent notes.” (2/2018)

96    Jane Anson for Decanter
“Rich, tight, powerful and silky – an extremely accomplished wine in a great vintage. It’s big but in control, with sweeping notes of liquorice and dark chocolate. It needs time to soften, but holds all the cards. Drinking Window 2023 – 2040.” (12/2017)

96    James Molesworth for Wine Spectator
“This has some sizzle, with roasted mesquite and ebullient red licorice notes out front, as well as steak to match, featuring a core sporting ample crushed cherry, red currant and plum fruit flavors. Light tea and chalk threads skitter through the finish, where the fruit echoes nicely. This has grown a bit since the barrel tasting. Best from 2023 through 2040.” (3/2018)

92    Neal Martin
“The 2015 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) is a blend of 90% Merlot picked between 25 September and 5 October and 10% Cabernet Franc picked on 5 and 12 October. Deep, almost opaque in color, it has a seductive and very pure black cherry, crème de cassis and vanilla-tinged bouquet that feels backward at the moment. There is a sense of opulence here but it feels as if it is being held back. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, lovely balance and purity. Perhaps as I remarked from barrel, it is not endowed with the tension of the best vintages that I have encountered from the estate, but it feels long and tender in the mouth and should drink well for 20+ years.” (2/2018)