Saint-Julien 2° Grand Cru Classé 2016 - Parker 98

Vineyard and Winemaker: There's no coincidence in the naming: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from these "beautiful pebbles", referred to as Günzian gravels, quartz pebbles carried by the old Garonne river at the beginning of the early Quaternary period, probably almost two million years ago. Simply lengthen your strides in the vine rows to make a plentiful lithological harvest. Lydian from the Pyrenees, flint, quartz, agates... These Günzian gravels have created poor soils that force the plant to draw its nutrients in depth; in summer, the pebbles store the daytime heat which they return to the vine at night to facilitate the ripening of the grapes. A natural selection that guarantees the qualitative excellence of the crus. Each cuvée, each vintage, explores a new facet of these "beautiful pebbles".

Tasting Notes: Very deep purple-black in color, the 2016 Ducru-Beaucaillou delivers a pronounced, enticing nose of baked plums, blueberry preserves, fruitcake and boysenberry with suggestions of lilacs, mocha, hoisin and exotic spices plus a waft of cedar chest. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate has layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and spicy nuances, matched by a very firm, grainy frame, finishing with epic length and depth.

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany eggs meurette.