Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, a well-established Second Growth in the 1855 classification, has long been recognized as a "Super Second" and the quintessential embodiment of Saint-Julien's charm. This prestigious estate consistently produces wines that exemplify the powerful yet balanced ripeness that best defines the appellation. With a rich history spanning three centuries and a reputation for quality predating even the 1855 classification, Ducru-Beaucaillou has solidified its position as one of Bordeaux's most illustrious Left Bank properties.
Ducru-Beaucaillou: "Super Second" Wines with a Centuries-Long Reputation
With a heritage dating back to the 13th century, this "Super Second" estate has long held a reputation amongst the great wines of the Médoc region. Today, under the visionary leadership of Bruno Borie, Ducru-Beaucaillou is unlocking its full potential and reaching great heights. Since assuming control of the estate in 2003, Bruno Borie has helped the estate achieve six 100-point scores for Ducru-Beaucaillou's Grand Vin wine, an impressive achievement and a testament to this outstanding new era.
Ducru-Beaucaillou: Vineyard & Terroir
Saint-Julien is renowned for the elegance and finesse of its wines, and Ducru-Beaucaillou stands as a prime example of the grandeur born from the appellation's signature gravel soils. The name "Beaucaillou" itself is a tribute to the "beautiful stones" that comprise these soils, providing exceptional drainage and playing a crucial role in shaping the wine's distinctive character. The estate's Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated vineyard, with an average vine age of 35 years, benefits from its proximity to the Gironde estuary, which moderates the microclimate and protects the vines from extreme weather. Among its 185 acres, the Les Sadons plot stands as the heart and soul of Ducru-Beaucaillou, planted as far back as 1918. Its deep gravel soils and close proximity to the Gironde River create an exceptional terroir, ranking among the best in the Médoc.
Three Centuries of Family Legacy
Throughout its three-century legacy, Ducru-Beaucaillou has experienced the ebb and flow of history under the stewardship of six dedicated families. The Borie family, with a storied history in Bordeaux dating back to the late 1800s, took the reins of Ducru-Beaucaillou in 1941. Bruno Borie, who grew up within the Château's walls, has built upon his family's foundation of success. Committed to quality, the Bories embarked on a transformative vineyard and cellar reconstruction, elevating the estate's already impressive stature. They also sought the guidance of renowned consultant Emile Peynaud to help craft wines that showcased a more concentrated and rich expression of Saint-Julien's alluring character.
Ducru-Beaucaillou: Wine Production
At Ducru-Beaucaillou, the grapes are subject to meticulous sorting, and each individual plot is vinified separately to preserve its unique identity before blending. The Grand Vin is a testament to both the exceptional terroir and the fastidious care taken throughout the winemaking process, yielding wines of beautiful depth that can require over a decade to reveal its full potential, with the capacity to achieve even greater heights as it ages.
Ducru-Beaucaillou: Wine Vintages
Our collection of Ducru-Beaucaillou vintages spans a range of outstanding years. Below are some of our favorite expressions:
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Ducru-Beaucaillou 1982: a revered & legendary vintage, complex expression with Jeb Dunnuck proclaiming the style "continues to drink brilliantly" in 2020, and James Suckling describing the wine as having "ultra fine, cashmere-like tannins that are silky, sleek and wonderfully integrated. Extremely long and focused."
- Ducru-Beaucaillou 1988: Another top vintage of the 1980s with 1988 demonstrating tannic concentration, creating Ducru wine of "outstanding structure and definition"
- Ducru-Beaucaillou 2003: A hot year, offering richness and sumptuousness to the style while still drinking balanced, with Jeb Dunnuck proclaiming in 2023, "nothing is out of place and the overall impression is a ripe, balanced, utterly classic Médoc"
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Ducru-Beaucaillou 2006: A successful year for the estate, producing wines "very perfumed and beautiful, showing blackberry and raspberry aromas, with hints of vanilla"
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Ducru-Beaucaillou 2018: a more youthful expression with power and ripeness requiring cellar-aging before approaching full-potential. The style earned a 100-point score from Jeb Dunnuck, who described the wine as "massively concentrated and structured, yet flawlessly balanced."
History, Innovation, & Family Stewardships
Throughout its history, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou has passed through the hands of six different families, including the Ducru family, who spearheaded the construction of the magnificent Chateau we admire today. One of the crowning achievements in Ducru-Beaucaillou's history occured in 1878 under the stewardship of Lucie Caroline Dassier and her husband, Nathaniel Johnston. They devised the first solution to Bordeaux's pervasive mildew problem, revolutionizing winemaking not only in Bordeaux but worldwide.
“Proprietor Bruno Borie seems to have pulled out all the stops in turning out an absolutely compelling effort that is the essence of Ducru Beaucaillou.” -Robert Parker
Ducru-Beaucaillou: Borie Family Legacy
The Borie family, with a storied history in Bordeaux dating back to the late 1800s, took the reins of Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou in 1941. Bruno Borie, who grew up within the Chateau's walls, has built upon his family's foundation of success. In 2003, Bruno initiated significant changes to elevate the quality of Ducru-Beaucaillou's wines. During his first vintage, the scorching 2003, he departed from conventional approaches, opting for a full canopy to shield the berries from direct sunlight. Since then, Bruno has embraced adaptable winemaking techniques and modern vineyard management practices.
"My first decision was to take stock of all viticultural and enological practices implemented at the domain, evaluate them, and identify those that had been abandoned over the recent past, so that with my new team we could define the technical route that seemed the most relevant to reach our ambition for excellence. We also conducted many vertical and horizontal tastings to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our wines and to consider avenues for improvement to the path of excellence. This led us to strengthen the selection." - Bruno Borie (Wine Advocate, August 2020)
Bruno Borie's dedication to perfection extends beyond winemaking techniques. Upon his arrival, he faced a persistent challenge at the Chateau—TCA, or cork taint. This bacterial contamination affected Ducru-Beaucaillou's wines between 1989 and 1994. In 2011, Bruno launched a comprehensive review and remediation project, involving recorking, relabeling, and ensuring optimal fill levels. This meticulous process, known as "rebouche," ensures that all library releases from Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou bear the rebouche date on the cork, back label, and engraved into the glass bottle. Bruno's commitment to quality control knows no bounds.
Ducru-Beaucaillou: Rival to First Growth Quality
As a shining gem and quintessential representation of Saint-Julien, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is an exciting addition to any collector's cellar. Under Bruno Borie's visionary leadership, the estate has soared to unprecedented heights, outperforming its original 1855 classification and rivaling the esteemed First Growths in terms of quality. With an exceptional record of six 100-point wines since 2009, Ducru-Beaucaillou offers undeniable value, making it a compelling choice for collectors and connoisseurs alike. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the excellence of this iconic Château – seize the moment and join the Ducru-Beaucaillou devotees today!
