Saint-Julien may not have any 1er Cru Classé, but if we forget the rank to speak only in terms of quality, Château Ducru Beaucaillou turns out to be an ideal ambassador for the appellation. Born at the end of the 17th century, the estate very quickly demonstrated its ability to produce great wines. When a century later, mildew wiped out many Bordeaux vineyards, Ducru Beaucaillou managed to escape it thanks to a brand new remedy discovered by the manager of the château himself: the famous Bordeaux mixture, a mixture of copper sulfate and lime. , still in use today. On the other hand, the field suffered greatly from the prohibition period across the Atlantic which deprived it of its fervent American enthusiasts. In 1941, Ducru Beaucaillou was bought by Francis Borie, who renovated the cellars and replanted the vines.
Today the chateau is still masterfully managed by the Borie family, who work to maintain the exceptional quality of the production. The considerable presence of gravel - or pebbles - in the soil of the vineyard, moreover at the origin of the name of the cru, is far from foreign to the quality of the wine. Perfectly balanced, this one reveals a beautiful aromatic bouquet, sublimated by cedar wood and spices. Singularly long to evolve, it requires at least ten years to express all its finesse and complexity.