Having received our beautifully packaged tasting samples during the previous week, we assembled in our own tasting rooms in front of our screens on the evening of Thursday 7 January 2021.

Our host was M. Bruno-Eugène Borie, whose family took over the Chateau in 1942. He was assisted by a member of his staff, Tracey, who is French Canadian and a Master of Wine. While everyone was joining Zoom, M Borie proposed a glass of champagne, and duly poured a glass of Pol Roger Winston Churchill, this set the scene. On the mahogany table in front of them were a number of stones, “les beaux cailloux” of the terroir of the estate.

M. Borie talked about the history and the terroir. Then, with his very able assistant, guided us through a tasting of three 2018s, Le petit Ducru, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou and le Ducru Beaucaillou. On the advice of his cellar master, we then tasted the 1982, the 1995 and lastly the 2010 vintages of Ch Ducru -Beaucaillou.

Everyone will have their own views on which was the preferred vintage, messages on screen on the night favoured the 2010.

The whole experience was the next best thing to a visit to Bordeaux! Those Commanders from Manchester, Bristol, London and Edinburgh who joined the event were privileged to take part. M. Borie certainly seems to be an Anglophile, Brexit was never mentioned. He was obviously delighted to show us his wines and hopes to welcome us to his beautiful chateau when circumstances allow.

Article and photographs by Commander Margaret Joscelyne