Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2024

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet reveals remarkable finesse with aromas of violet that blend harmoniously with pure black fruits, notably blackcurrant and blackberry. This palette is enriched by notes of star anise, sandalwood and graphite, which bring a distinctive mineral dimension.

Palate
The attack reveals remarkable concentration and fruit depth, perfectly balanced by a vibrant freshness. The extremely fine tannins structure the whole with elegance, creating a dynamic tension characteristic of this vintage. The long, aromatic finish unfolds notes of crème de cassis and persistent minerality, leaving an impression of finesse and graceful elegance.

An Exceptional Saint-Julien that Ideally Combines Finesse and Power

The estate
Acquired by Bertrand Ducru in 1797, the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou spreads its 105 hectares over deep gravel soils dotted with the Medoc’s emblematic large pebbles at Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in Bordeaux’s Médoc region. The Borie family has owned this estate since 1941, when Francis Borie acquired it. This Second Growth of the 1855 Classification is now managed by Bruno-Eugène Borie, who upholds the estate’s excellence. The Victorian château overlooking the cellars has produced three distinct cuvées since its restructuring.

The vineyard
The vines of this Saint-Julien flourish on an exceptional terroir composed of Gunzian gravel, those quartz pebbles formed two million years ago that impart the wine its characteristic minerality. These well-draining soils allow optimal grape ripening and lend that distinctive mineral signature to the estate’s wines.

The vintage
The year 2024 began with a mild, wet winter, promoting early budbreak on March 25. The rainy spring required meticulous viticultural management to combat downy mildew pressure. Flowering occurred around June 6, slightly delayed by cool temperatures. The summer, ideal for ripening, was characterized by warm, dry conditions with significant diurnal temperature variation, creating a beneficial water deficit for phenolic development. Veraison started slowly around July 20, punctuated by two brief heatwaves, while cool nights intensified color and aromas. Sugar accumulation remained moderate and high acidity preserved balance and freshness.

Vinification and aging
The harvest of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2024 spanned from September 23 to October 7. Despite 136 mm of rain in September increasing botrytis risk, late September and October provided dry, stable conditions, allowing optimal ripening. Merlot was picked early to preserve its integrity, while Cabernet Sauvignon benefited from the late-season warmth to achieve full, refined maturity. Parcel-by-parcel picking revealed pure fruit with tension and excellent aging potential. Aging took place over 18 months.

Blend
86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot.