Château Ducru-Beaucaillou: Vineyards
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou can be found in the southeastern-most corner of the St Julien appellation, close to the village of Beychevelle. This of course reflects the estate’s origins, which are shared with Château Beychevelle itself. It has a prestigious position very close to the waters of the Gironde. The maxim goes that if you can see the Gironde from where you are standing, then you have land that will make good wine. While I do not wish to dispute this, I would say that the some of the very greatest wines of the left bank come from those estates which truly hug the banks of the estuary. In a thin line, running northwards, you can find not only Château Ducru-Beaucaillou but also many parcels belonging to the Léoville estates, as well as Château Latour and Château Montrose, among others. It’s good if you can see the water, perhaps even better if you can reach out and touch it.
Indeed, looking at the château per se, and not just the vineyards, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is probably closer to the Gironde than any other. It sits on the eastern periphery of the vineyard, with only the alluvial palus – not really suitable for the vine – beyond.
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