Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2éme Grand Cru Classé Saint Julien 2017
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou owes its name to the "beautiful pebbles" ("beaux Cailloux", in French) that make up the estates vineyards. A "Super Second" growth winery from the Saint-Julien appellation in Bordeaux it is renowned for producing powerful, elegant and age-worthy red wines. The 2017 is a highly-praised vintage, notable for its finesse and elegance, especially given the challenging spring frost in Bordeaux that year. Because its vineyard was protected from the frost, the estate was able to produce a successful vintage, though with lower yields. The final blend is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) with 10% Merlot, and was aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months. On the nose, fragrant notes of warm kirsch, wild blueberries and blackcurrants dominate, accompanied by subtle hints of violets, underbrush, crushed rocks, and smoky tobacco. The palate is polished and silky in texture with fresh acidity, featuring layers of dark and red fruits, plush tannins and a mineral-driven finish with lingering spicy notes. A vintage that is more approachable and elegant than the more powerful 2015 and 2016s and whilst it can be enjoyed now, it will continue to evolve and improve with bottle age, with a drinking window extending through 2045 or beyond.
