Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1986

The intensity and freshness of a truly great Saint-Julien vintage

The estate

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is an emblematic Cru Classé of Saint-Julien and overseeing a prestigious terroir. Over the past 300 years, six families have worked to make this world-renowned cru shine. Owned by the Borie family since 1941, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from its terroir of "beaux cailloux" (beautiful stones) made up of Günzian gravel. Managed by Bruno Borie, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou ranks among the elite of the great red wines of Saint-Julien. Vintage after vintage, it delights lovers of great Médoc wines throughout the world.

The vineyard

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou’s unique character lies in the exceptional quality of its vineyard located on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The vines are planted on soils of Günzian and Pyrenean gravel deposited by the Gironde estuary nearly two million years ago. These poor soils produce great Saint-Julien wines.

The vintage

1986 was a year that saw perfect summer conditions. The rainy spells around 20 September were beneficial for refining the ripening of the grapes before the harvest was carried out in warm, sunny weather. The grapes harvested were of high quality and the vineyard was in excellent health.

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1986

Tasting

Colour
The colour has a delightful intensity with its dark ruby hue.

Nose
The nose is full and aromatic, releasing delicious scents of black fruit, vanilla, cedar and earth.

Palate
The palate is intense, unveiling through the tasting a voluptuous touch which draws out harmoniously to a lasting finish with a lively freshness.

To serve

The 1986 vintage from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou had a cork change at the estate in 2011 with the view to guarantee a perfect freshness. To enjoy in the best conditions, it is recommended to uncork this wine at least two hours before serving, and decant for one hour. Serve between 16 and 18°C.