2003 Saint-Julien, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
About Producer
The heart of Ducru-Beaucaillou’s vineyard is 55ha on stony and gravelly soils on limestone subsoil around the château and close to the river. One of the striking features here is the wide range of multicoloured and diversified quartz and flint pebbles found in its soils, hence its name Beaucaillou (‘beautiful pebble’ in French). Created in 1720, this estate was bought in 1797 by Bertrand Ducru who added his name to the property. The modern history of Ducru-Beaucaillou started in 1942 when it was acquired by Francis Borie, owner of neighbouring Haut-Batailley in Pauillac. In 1953, his son Jean-Eugène took over and subsequently propelled the château into the Médoc elite. Since 2003, the property is managed by Bruno Borie, Jean-Eugène’s son, who has firmly put his estate among the top flight in Bordeaux.
Varietals
Blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot.
About Appellation
Sandwiched between Margaux and Pauillac, Saint-Julien AOC is home to 11 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The 910ha vineyards sit on a top layer of gravel on clay and limestone soil covered with large white stones ('galets'). While there are traces of vines planted here since the 8th century, extensive viticulture only started off in the 17th century when members of the local nobility and bourgeoisie created large vineyards. Like most of the Médoc, cabernet sauvignon reigns supreme, followed by merlot which plays an invariably supporting role. There are also lesser plantings of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The best estates have vines planted on gentle slopes along the Gironde estuary where terroir and micro-climate are the finest.
Tasting Notes
Alluring nose of dark berry fruits, tobacco, leather, spice box, forest floor and floral scents, intense mouthfeel with plush texture, excellent concentration and amazing depth, multilayered flavours of black currant, plum, fig, cinnamon and clove liberally laced with mouth-coating mineral undertones, well-embedded acidity and powdery tannins carrying through a long, persistent finish. Defying some doubts about the staying power of 2003, this has evolved into a remarkable wine with composed poise, understated complexity and lively energy. Having shed the obtrusive opulence of its youth, it’s lush and assertive with a beguiling display of astonishing freshness. Though perhaps lacking the vibrancy and charm of some of the following vintages, this is a well-crafted wine of undeniable class that will stay on its current plateau of maturity for a few more years. (03/2023)