2022 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Grand Cru Classé St Julien

The 2022 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Grand Cru Classé St-Julien is a powerful, deeply structured left-bank Bordeaux from one of the Médoc’s most celebrated estates. Hailing from the exceptional 2022 vintage, it showcases the precision and polish that have made Ducru-Beaucaillou a benchmark for Cabernet-driven Saint-Julien. Combining intensity, elegance and longevity, this is a collector-worthy wine that will reward patience for decades.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Ducru-Beaucaillou shows a saturated, opaque ruby-purple color, hinting at its concentration and youth. The nose is refined yet exuberant, with layers of blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe black cherry wrapped in notes of graphite, cedar, violet, crushed stone and a touch of dark chocolate and spice from élevage in oak. On the palate, this is full-bodied and powerful, yet impeccably tailored—classic Grand Cru Classé St-Julien. Expect dense black fruit at the core (cassis, black plum, mulberry) framed by fine, firm tannins and a vibrant freshness that keeps everything in balance. Subtle notes of tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, cocoa and savory spice unfurl with air, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. Built for the long haul, this 2022 has significant aging potential; in a good cellar, it should evolve beautifully for 20–30 years or more, gaining complexity, softness and aromatic nuance over time.

Production
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from the ‘beaux cailloux’—the beautiful, large Garonne gravel stones that dominate its vineyards along the Gironde estuary in Saint-Julien. This exceptional terroir, with deep gravel over well-draining subsoils, is particularly well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms the backbone of the blend alongside Merlot. The grapes are harvested by hand in small batches, with rigorous sorting to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy fruit makes it into the cuvée. Vinification typically takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete vats, parcel by parcel, allowing for precise extraction and preservation of terroir character. The grand vin is then aged in French oak barriques, a high proportion of them new, to refine the tannins, enhance structure and add subtle layers of spice, while allowing the purity of the fruit and the signature Ducru elegance to shine.

Food & Serving
This 2022 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a natural partner for richly flavored, refined dishes. Think classic roasted or grilled lamb, dry-aged ribeye, beef Wellington, venison, or dishes featuring wild mushrooms and truffle. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, braised short ribs, and mature hard cheeses such as Comté, aged Gouda or cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in generous Bordeaux stems. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to allow the wine to open and soften; as it matures, a shorter decant of around 45–60 minutes will help it express its full aromatic complexity while gently removing any sediment.

Producer
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of the most illustrious estates of the Médoc, classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the historic 1855 Classification. Located in the heart of Saint-Julien, it has long been admired for crafting Cabernet-based wines that combine power, precision and remarkable finesse, often rivaling the First Growths in quality and longevity. Under the stewardship of the Borie family for several generations, the château has invested heavily in vineyard management and cellar technology, elevating its wines to consistently top-tier status in Bordeaux. Ducru-Beaucaillou is now widely regarded as a reference point for Saint-Julien, with a track record of outstanding vintages and high critical acclaim that has cemented its reputation among collectors and serious wine lovers worldwide.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.