Winemaker and Vineyard: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from these "beautiful pebbles," called Günzian gravels, quartz pebbles carried by the ancient Garonne at the beginning of the Early Quaternary, likely nearly two million years ago. A stroll through the vine rows yields a plentiful lithological harvest. Lydian from the Pyrenees, flint, quartz, agatoids... These Günzian gravels have given rise to lean soils, forcing the plant to draw its nutrients in depth; in summer, the pebbles retain the daytime heat they give back to the vine at night to facilitate the ripening of the grapes. A natural election that guarantees the qualitative excellence of the crus. Each cuvée, each vintage, explores a new facet of these "beautiful pebbles."

Tasting: Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou offers up expressive, exuberant scents of warm kirsch, black raspberries and wild blueberries with hints of sassafras, cedar chest, pencil lead and dried mint plus a waft of dried leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely freshness and a fair bit of chew, complementing the youthful black and red fruit layers, finishing on a lingering earthy note.

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a beef tenderloin with a foie gras sauce.