Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou is named after the beautiful large stones that characterize its unique Saint-Julien terroir. Unusual for Bordeaux, it is one of the only castles to be built directly above the barrel cellars and one of the few estates producing a ‘Grand Cru Classe’ still inhabited by its owners. The Borie family has owned this estate and has lived here for over sixty years, in the sumptuous aromas of their wine.

Rated a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Ducru sits on an exceptional site with incomparable views over the Gironde estuary. Its 75-hectare vineyard is planted 70% to Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% to Merlot with an average vine age of 35 years.

Today, the estate is managed by the company Jean Eugene Borie SA, which is owned by Mrs. Borie, her daughter Sabine Coiffe and her son Bruno-Eugene.

Ducru-Beaucaillou is a fine, elegant, and delicious wine with a long finish - in short, an archetypal Saint-Julien. The grapes are hand-picked, and the sorting process takes place on mobile tables in the vineyard to keep the healthy grapes separate from substandard ones. Fermentation is by traditional techniques and only the best fruit is used to produce the wine.

The 2020 Ducru Beaucaillou is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend that showcases the excellence of the St Julien region in Bordeaux, France. With its deep red color and elegant label, it is a wine that demands attention and promises a truly exceptional tasting experience.

On the nose, this wine exudes an aromatic bouquet of blackcurrants and blueberries, accompanied by delicate violets and a hint of crushed stone. The scent is extremely inviting and sets the stage for what is to come.

Upon first sip, the 2020 Ducru Beaucaillou reveals itself to be a full-bodied wine with a tight and reserved character. Its racy and almost steely tannins give it a unique edge, while still maintaining a subtle sweetness in the center palate. The wine showcases great transparency and clarity, with an impressive level of precision and verticality.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 97 points, noting its exceptional aroma and tight structure. He suggests that it be enjoyed after 2028, allowing it to fully mature and unveil its true potential.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also praised the 2020 Ducru Beaucaillou, awarding it a score of 95 points. The publication describes it as medium to full-bodied, fleshy, and concentrated, with a deep core that is tightly wound and still wrapped up in extract and oak tannins. It is a wine that will require patience but promises great rewards in the future.

Another notable review comes from Jeff Leve, who awarded this wine an impressive score of 99 points. Leve describes the wine as richly colored, with a complex nose that offers notes of cigar box, tobacco leaf, and black fruits. He praises its supple and sensuous texture, as well as its refined character and silky textures. Leve suggests that this gem will reach its peak after its 10th birthday and will provide fabulous drinking for 25-35 years after that.

Jeb Dunnuck, another respected wine critic, awarded the 2020 Ducru Beaucaillou a perfect score of 100 points. He describes it as a legendary wine, with an incredible mineral-laced bouquet of cassis, liquid violets, graphite, and tobacco leaf. Dunnuck also praises its structure, concentration, and ultra-fine tannins, suggesting that it will have an exceptionally long lifespan of 40, 50, if not 60 years.

Overall, the 2020 Ducru Beaucaillou is a wine of outstanding quality and complexity. It showcases the craftsmanship and expertise of the Ducru Beaucaillou estate, and it is a true representation of the best that Bordeaux has to offer. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this wine is sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs.