Croix Ducru Beaucaillou (2nd label of Ducru) 2016

St Julien, Second wine

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Tasting Notes
Almost opaque in color, the 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a tightly wound, quite pixelated bouquet of black cherries, melted tar and humidor aromas that only gradually unfold. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, perfectly judged acidity, a silky-smooth texture and a pure, sustained finish that is adorable. This is a pretty Saint Julien, equal to many of the Grand Vins. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 01 January 2019
The 2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that is matured in 60% new oak for 12 months and the remainder in one-year-old barrels. It has quite a rich and opulent bouquet, quite glossy with scents of kirsch, crushed strawberry, crème de cassis and a touch of vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sumptuous tannin counterbalance but a keen thread of acidity (the pH is 3.65). There is great tension here, immense purity with quite a structured, almost flinty finish that is classic in style. Though it is a Deuxième Vin, it deserves several years in bottle. Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2045 28 April 2017
The 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is dark, dense and quite powerful, with plush, silky tannins that wrap around a core of rich fruit. Black cherry, chocolate, menthol, leather and spice, espresso and cedar all add character. This sumptuous, racy Saint-Julien will drink well right out of the gate. Readers should expect a potent, concentrated wine. The 2016 spent 12 months in oak, 70% new. Tasted two times. Score: 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2036 01 January 2019
The 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is a wine of pure sensuality. Silky tannins, soft contours and deeply spiced flavors inform this racy, supple Saint-Julien from proprietor Bruno Borie. A gracious yet dense wine, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off the 2016. It is a wine of pure and total pleasure. Tasted two times. (90-92+) Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017
Produced from Gunz gravels on south-facing slopes, with their high iron-oxide content. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, with a 3.65ph and aged in 60% new oak barrels. The grapes were picked from 27th September to 5th October, taking advantage of the first rains of September but not those of October. Here they have the benefits of the fresh air from the Garonne river that Ducru looks out over, so long, slow ripening of the grapes is evident in a cooling, fresh finish that adds lift and juice to the black cherry fruits. Lovely spice evident through the palate also. Score: 92 Decanter, - Maturity: 2025-2040 20 April 2017
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Opulent sweet fruit and blackcurrant pastilles on the nose and palate with firm tannins and refreshing acidity. Good balance. Score: 92 - 94 Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017
Bright, deep crimson. Tastes so dramatic that it's on the edge - almost camembert notes. Lots of spiciness and glamour and then the oak insists a bit. The new oak is a tad obvious at the moment. 13.44% 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Not a second wine but from a particular area in the middle of the AOC. 60% new oak. IPT 78. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2040 18 April 2017
This is lovely from the get-go, with notes of warm ganache and incense in front of a core of alluring crushed blueberry, açai and cassis flavors. Polished and suave on the finish. Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10 April 2017
This is very tight and focused with blackberries, blackcurrants and licorice. Lots of crushed stones, too. Full-bodied, tightly wound and pretty. Exciting second wine from Ducru. Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

Tasting Notes

Almost opaque in color, the 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a tightly wound, quite pixelated bouquet of black cherries, melted tar and humidor aromas that only gradually unfold. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, perfectly judged acidity, a silky-smooth texture and a pure, sustained finish that is adorable. This is a pretty Saint Julien, equal to many of the Grand Vins.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 01 January 2019

The 2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that is matured in 60% new oak for 12 months and the remainder in one-year-old barrels. It has quite a rich and opulent bouquet, quite glossy with scents of kirsch, crushed strawberry, crème de cassis and a touch of vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sumptuous tannin counterbalance but a keen thread of acidity (the pH is 3.65). There is great tension here, immense purity with quite a structured, almost flinty finish that is classic in style. Though it is a Deuxième Vin, it deserves several years in bottle.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2045 28 April 2017

The 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is dark, dense and quite powerful, with plush, silky tannins that wrap around a core of rich fruit. Black cherry, chocolate, menthol, leather and spice, espresso and cedar all add character. This sumptuous, racy Saint-Julien will drink well right out of the gate. Readers should expect a potent, concentrated wine. The 2016 spent 12 months in oak, 70% new. Tasted two times.

Score: 92

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2036 01 January 2019

The 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is a wine of pure sensuality. Silky tannins, soft contours and deeply spiced flavors inform this racy, supple Saint-Julien from proprietor Bruno Borie. A gracious yet dense wine, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off the 2016. It is a wine of pure and total pleasure. Tasted two times. (90-92+)

Score: 90 - 92

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017

Produced from Gunz gravels on south-facing slopes, with their high iron-oxide content. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, with a 3.65ph and aged in 60% new oak barrels. The grapes were picked from 27th September to 5th October, taking advantage of the first rains of September but not those of October. Here they have the benefits of the fresh air from the Garonne river that Ducru looks out over, so long, slow ripening of the grapes is evident in a cooling, fresh finish that adds lift and juice to the black cherry fruits. Lovely spice evident through the palate also.

Score: 92

Decanter, - Maturity: 2025-2040 20 April 2017

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Opulent sweet fruit and blackcurrant pastilles on the nose and palate with firm tannins and refreshing acidity. Good balance.

Score: 92 - 94

Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017

Bright, deep crimson. Tastes so dramatic that it's on the edge - almost camembert notes. Lots of spiciness and glamour and then the oak insists a bit. The new oak is a tad obvious at the moment. 13.44% 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Not a second wine but from a particular area in the middle of the AOC. 60% new oak. IPT 78.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2040 18 April 2017

This is lovely from the get-go, with notes of warm ganache and incense in front of a core of alluring crushed blueberry, açai and cassis flavors. Polished and suave on the finish.

Score: 91 - 94

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10 April 2017

This is very tight and focused with blackberries, blackcurrants and licorice. Lots of crushed stones, too. Full-bodied, tightly wound and pretty. Exciting second wine from Ducru.

Score: 94 - 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

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