Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1990

The depth and aromatic expression of a Saint-Julien wine

The estate

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is an emblematic Cru Classé of Saint-Julien which oversees 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

The uniqueness of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 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

The year 1990 saw a cool spring which came before a hot May, advancing an early flowering. The summer was extremely dry, which allowed the grapes to reach a high level of ripeness. The rainy spells at the end of August were beneficial for the vineyard, allowing the ripening process to be refined while preserving the freshness of the grapes thanks to the cooler temperatures. The warm, dry and sunny conditions in September were ideal for ensuring optimal ripeness until the harvest.

Winemaking and ageing

Ageing in French oak casks, of which 66% were new.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (65%)
Merlot (25%)
Cabernet Franc (3%)
Petit verdot (7%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1990

Tasting

Nose
The nose is intense, releasing scents of stewed plums, kirsch, star anis and cardamom.

Palate
Full and expressive, the palate harmoniously mingles spice, truffle and dried herb notes. With its beautiful depth, these scents are counterbalanced by a subtle combination of firm and fine tannins with a fresh smoothness which gives an opulant texture. The finish is long-lasting, unveiling delicious fruity and stony notes.

To serve

For the best tasting, serve between 15 and 17°C.