Ducru-Beaucaillou

History

The history of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou dates back to the 13th century, but its documented history begins in 1720 when the estate was purchased by the Bergeron family. The property gained prominence under Bertrand Ducru, who bought it in 1795 and added his name to the title, making it Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Ducru commissioned Parisian architect Paul Abadie to improve the chateau and upgrade the vineyards and cellar.

In 1866, the estate was sold to Lucie-Caroline Dassier, the wife of negociant Nathaniel Johnston. Johnston replanted the vineyards and modernized the cellars with the help of Ernest David, leading to the discovery of the Bordeaux Mixture, a solution to the mildew problem affecting Bordeaux vineyards. The Johnston family sold the estate to the Desbarats family in 1929 due to economic crisis, who in turn sold it to Francis Borie in 1941.

The Borie family has owned the estate since 1941, with Bruno Borie currently at the helm. The family also owns other notable châteaux in the region, including Château Grand Puy Lacoste and Château Haut-Batailley. Under Bruno's leadership, the estate has continued to produce high-quality wines, overcoming challenges such as TCA contamination in the cellars.

Terroir

The terroir of Ducru-Beaucaillou is characterized by its exceptional Médoc terroir, situated between the Gironde River to the east and the Saint-Julien appellation to the west and center. The vineyard's soils are renowned for their "beautiful pebbles" (beaux cailloux), which are high in quartz and poor in plant nutrients. This agrological paucity makes the soils well-suited for producing fine wine. The plots are planted along the rolling Médoc ridges, just above the estuary, while those at the epicenter benefit from a microclimate nurtured by the La Mouline stream.

The estate's terroir is further enhanced by its gravel soils, which provide exceptional drainage and contribute to the wine's distinctive character. The proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates the microclimate, protecting the vines from extreme weather conditions. The Les Sadons plot, planted as far back as 1918, stands as the heart and soul of Ducru-Beaucaillou, with its deep gravel soils and close proximity to the Gironde River creating an exceptional terroir that ranks among the best in the Médoc.