2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 12x75cl

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou – “The Lafite Rothschild of St Julien” (Parker)

The Second Growth estate Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou of St Julien is one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates. It is one of a small handful of producers that can rival the mighty First Growths in quality. Indeed, it can be so consistently impressive thart Robert Parker once called it “the Lafite-Rothschild of St Julien” and “clearly a wine of first-growth quality.

The Grand Vin is immensely impressive. La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is the second wine of the estate and gives an excellent insight into the house characteristics in a more approachable and forward style.

Sophisticated, Charming & Age-Worthy

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou sits on a fantastic terroir. The name Ducru-Beaucaillou means ‘beautiful pebbles’ and references the gravel soil that covers the vineyard. These soils are perfect for the Cabernet Sauvignon which makes up a huge proportion of the blend. A typical recent vintage of Ducru is around 80-90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance a small amount of Merlot.

In style, Ducru Beaucaillou is sophisticated and polished, effortlessly combining power and purity.  It is classic St Julien, with structured tannins yet soft and approachable tannins. These result in an approachable and charming Bordeaux hat also has immense ageing capacity.

Since the larger-than-life Bruno Borie took control of the estate in 1998, it has gone from strength to strength. Yields have been lowered to raise overall quality, and every more care and attention to detail have bene applied in both vineyards and winery. It is now routinely among Bordeaux’s elite wines.