Winemaker and vineyard : No coincidence: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou owes its name to these beautiful pebbles, known as Günzian gravel, quartz pebbles carried by the ancient Garonne at the beginning of the early Quaternary, probably nearly two million years ago. One only has to lengthen one's steps in the rows to make an abundant lithological harvest. Lydian from the Pyrenees, flint, quartz, agatoids... These Günzian gravels have given poor soils, which force the plant to draw its nutrients deep down; in summer, the pebbles retain 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 : The 2018 Ducru-Beaucaillou is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, aged 18 months in 100% new barriques. It has a pH of 3.7, 14.5% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 95. Deep purple-black colored, it has a powerful nose of baked black cherries, blackberry preserves and crème de cassis with nuances of menthol, pencil lead, cedar chest and Indian spices, plus fragrant wafts of violets and licorice emerging after a few minutes. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with impactful black fruits and exotic spices layers, supported by firm, ripe grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. There is a brightness to the wine—surprising freshness—and yet it remains very rich and hedonic, presenting an extraordinary vinous paradox that will blow away fans of this great estate. robertparker.com (31.03.2021)

Service : Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a Black Forest cake.