Description
《Terroir Collection》
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2006 St-Julien 2nd Growth Grand Cru Class 《Terroir Collection - TF1087A》
Region : St-Julien
Grapes : 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Alcohol : 13.5% vol
Website: https://chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com/
⭐ Robert Parker rated Ducru Beaucaillour as "Super 2nd Growth Grand Cru Class"
⭐ Emile Peynaud as Winemaking Consultant
🏅James Suckling 95 pts
🏅Wine Spectator 95 pts
🏅Decanter 95 pts
🏅Wine Advocate 94 pts
🏅Wine Enthusiast 94 pts
🏅Wine & Spirits 92 pts
Background
Aseminal meeting in the Age of Enlightenment. It all started with a marriage. An illustrious servant of the king, squire Jacques de Bergeron took Marie Dejean, heiress of the vineyard, for his wife on 30 May 1720 in the church of Saint-Julien de Reignac. In 1860, Marie-Louise Ravez bought out her brother, Jean-Baptiste Gustave Ducru, and became the sole owner.Under his stewardship, the property saw great improvements in quality within Saint-Julien and the growth was the most expensive in the appellation at this time. Consecration came with the 1855 classification : Château Ducru (Beaucaillou) was given a noble position on the second step of the Bordeaux podium. In 1942, Francis Borie therefore took Ducru-Beaucaillou on a life annuity rental from Fernand Odon Desbarats de Burke. A relentless builder, this energetic merchant from Corrèze was also a passionate winegrower at Château Haut Batailley, a classified growth in neighbouring Pauillac. Liked and respected by all, Francis had a deep sweetness of soul; he had no lack of generosity. Since 1953, Emile Peynaud, a famous winemaker became their wine consultant.
In 1959, Jean-Eugène, succeeding his father, undertook meticulous work to restore the vineyard and the cellars. Quickly abandoning the family’s merchant business, he dedicated himself to the development and modernisation of the property to put it entirely at the service of the wines he loved so much. His considerable efforts began to bear fruit in the second half of the 1950s when Ducru-Beaucaillou’s reputation rose to the highest level in Bordeaux, and it has never been refuted since then.
His superb vintages, combined with his modesty and tongue-in-cheek humour, made him one of the most endearing personalities of the Médoc.
or 300 years, six families have nurtured an indelible bond with Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. They are forever captives of this prestigious estate, be they named Desjean, Bergeron, Ducru, Johnston, Desbarat, or Borie. Its families were never short of praise for it. Over the decades, this devotion has managed to overcome all that is accidental or fleeting, as if passion perfected Nature's opus.
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou owes its name to its "beautiful pebbles" ("beaux Cailloux", in French) that geologists refer to less romantically as Gunzian gravel. These quartz pebbles were deposited by the ancient Garonne at the beginning of the early Quaternary period, some two million years ago. It suffices to take a walk through the vineyards to make rich lithological finds. Lydian jasper from the Pyrenees, flint, quartz, agatoids... These Gunzian gravels make for soils that are poor in plant nutrients. But it is their very agrological paucity that guarantees the qualitative excellence of the wines. A choice of nature.
The other privilege enjoyed by Ducru-Beaucaillou is its proximity to the vast Gironde River estuary (some 635 km²). The four daily tides that stir up this massive body of water mitigate the rigors of winter, moderate the summer heatwaves, and deflect the devastating trajectory of hailstorms.
No less than 50 manual interventions contribute to the crafting of Ducru-Beaucaillou "grand vin". This united, multicultural team shares a common philosophy: to push the demands of their profession to the limits. Great wine is an accumulation of care and attention to detail. The viticulture is wilfully elitist and respectful, from the technical winegrowing process to the reconstitution of the soils, from the traditional Médoc-style pruning to the meticulous green harvesting and the staggered replanting of each vineyard blocks. Selection of the grapes is ever more stringent, vinification is adapted to the specific identity of each plot. All of these efforts contribute to the extraordinary purity of the blends that subsequently undergo slow aging in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months. Not to mention the unending listening, questioning, reflecting.
The result is in the glass. The allure is immediate. A soft, fruity attack on the palate, a voluptuousness underscored by perfectly integrated, silky tannins that culminate in an exceptionally lengthy finish. The aromas dance, flatter the nose, seduce the soul and penetrate the memory. A muse that arrives on tiptoe and leave a lasting, infinite souvenir
🏅Wine Spectator 95 pts
Very perfumed and beautiful, showing blackberry and raspberry aromas, with hints of vanilla. Deep and complex. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, powerful finish. Excellent for the vintage.
🏅Decanter 95 pts
This is not quite as silky smooth and rich as the 2005 and yet it's full of promise. It feels young, with tannins that are still pulsating around the dark berry fruits, joined by eucalyptus and cigar box notes through the finish. With clear depth of flavour, it's a classically framed St Julien, full of dark cheer, a winter wine for nights by the fire with good food and good friends.
🏅Wine Advocate 94 pts
Deep garnet in color, the 2006 Ducru-Beaucaillou delivers expressive Black Forest cake, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate box scents with touches of fertile loam, espresso, Marmite toast and black olives. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly played with vibrant fruit expression and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with a lively lift.
🏅Wine Enthusiast 94 pts
This is that rare Bordeaux Cabernet that comes close in style to a Napa Cabernet. The character comes from the mint aromas and medicinal edge, formed from new wood aging. At this stage in its development, the wine is powerful, but closed and tight. However, it is possible to taste the ripe perfumes and the black cherry juice flavors that come through the vanilla.
🏅Wine & Spirits 92 pts
Vibrant currant and raspberry flavors lend sunniness to the heavier, deeply mineral tannic component in this wine. Complex spice hovers in between, with scents of sassafras relieving some of the gravity and weight. The texture is silken, and the wine feels composed. It should be more accessible in ten years' time, and drink well for another ten after that.
$1550/ bottle
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