Ducru Beaucaillou

Château Ducru Beaucaillou

Classification: Second Growth (2ème Cru)
Château Ducru Beaucaillou is one of the leading Second Growths in Saint Julien and can trace its history back to the 13^th century. It takes its name from the French word “cailloux” - it translates as “Beautiful Pebbles”. Ducru was added to the name in 1795 by its then owner Bertrand Ducru. The pebbles are a characteristic feature of the vineyard. Bertrand's daughter married Antoine Ravez who was the Speaker in the French Parliament. He switched the MP's customary glasses of water with Château Ducru Beaucaillou as he loved the wine so much. Nathaniel Johnston purchased the Château in 1866 and he was renowned for his experiments on grape varietals and vine diseases. In 1878 Johnston perfected the blend of Bouille Bordeaux (Bordeaux Mix) which is made from naturally occurring copper sulphate deposits in the local soil and lime milk and is used as a remedy for mildew to this day.

Château Ducru Beaucaillou sits in a 100 year old park overlooking the Gironde Estuary and is the only Château in Bordeaux to be built directly over its wine cellars. The vineyards run up the slopes above the low lying marsh land and cover 112 acres. The soil is a 5 metre thick layer of Garonne gravel (Günz) which is full of quartz and flint over a limestone base. The grapes in the vineyard are 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

Wine Style
Château Ducru Beaucaillou is often hailed as the quintessential claret – it is full bodied, and powerful but beautifully well balanced. It requires a minimum of 10 years of bottle ageing to reveal the rich and fruity, elegant flavours of cassis, vanilla and ripe blackberries.

Owner: Bruno Borie (His brother, Xavier Borie owns Château Grand Puy Lacoste and Château Haut Batailley)
Chateau Website: www.chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com 
Oenologist: Virginie Sallette