Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1997

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1997

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a classic and elegant red hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex, dominated by black fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and blackberry, harmoniously underscored by noble notes of cedar and delicate spices.

Palate
Perfectly balanced, the palate offers a fruit-driven character of great elegance, supported by a tannic structure that is both firm and silky. The acidity preserves a lovely freshness that carries the wine through to a remarkably long finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This great red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or grilled prime cuts of meat, such as a rib of beef or a sirloin steak. It also enhances game dishes served with mushroom sauces, truffle-based recipes, as well as aged hard cheeses such as a mature comté.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1997, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 16°C, after a brief aeration. Boasting notable ageing potential for its vintage, this wine can be enjoyed now and may continue to evolve in the cellar until around 2030.

The Elegance and Depth of a Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Julien

The Estate

Founded in 1720 upon the marriage of Marie Dejean and Jacques de Bergeron, the estate has established itself as an essential reference point in Bordeaux. Located on the left bank, this historic estate has enjoyed a steady rise in quality over the centuries. Owned by the Borie family since 1942, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is today led by Bruno-Eugène Borie. Under his guidance, this grand cru classé combines tradition, rigorous selection and environmental respect to produce wines of great longevity, true emblems of their appellation.

The Vineyard

The terroir of Saint-Julien rests on particularly deep Günzian gravels, reaching six to eight metres, which cover a tertiary clay-limestone subsoil. This poor, well-draining soil forces the vines, averaging 35 to 40 years of age, to root deeply. Planted at high density, the vineyard also benefits from a unique microclimate thanks to its close proximity to the Gironde estuary, a true thermal regulator that shields the vines from extreme weather and encourages steady ripening of the grapes.

The Vintage

An early year, 1997 is often regarded as a milder vintage in the region. However, thanks to the mild estuarine climate and rigorous agronomic management, the grapes achieved a remarkable balance, offering a structured character that stands out from the usual standards of this type of weather.

Winemaking and Ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand, with meticulous sorting carried out directly in the vineyard. At the winery, extractions are carried out gently to preserve the finesse of the tannins, followed by malolactic fermentation in vats. The Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1997 was aged in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new wood, for around 18 months, shaping its structure built for ageing.

Grape Varieties

70% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot