Croix Ducru Beaucaillou (2nd label of Ducru) 2022

St Julien, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

Intense, concentrated, succulent, bitter cocoa bean and mint leaf, dark berry fruit, this is capturing the spirit of the vintage but giving it a sleek, confident accent, packed with sinewy tannins, and floral accents. 80% new oak for ageing, harvest September 7 to October 4. An upscore since En Primeur.

Score: 94

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2046 06 March 2025

The 2022 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a wonderful, beautifully defined bouquet with pure blackberry, briar and cedar scents becoming ever more floral as it opens in the glass. It's concentrated but very well controlled. The palate is medium-bodied, tensile and poised with saturated tannins, a keen line of acidity and a sophisticated, persistent finish. This is a seriously fine Deuxième Vin that should require three or four years in bottle.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2058 12 February 2025

The 2022 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is a huge, dense wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, chocolate, leather, incense and new leather saturates the palate. Broad, ample and explosive, with staining intensity, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is a plush, opulent Saint-Julien. There's tremendous textural presence here, with the tannins to match.

Score: 93

Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2027-2037 28 January 2025

The second wine of this great château, the 2022 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is based on two-thirds Merlot with the balance mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, raised in 80% new French oak. Hitting 14% natural alcohol, its vivid purple hue is followed by stunning aromatics of cassis, blueberries, tobacco, graphite, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings plenty of concentration and structure yet is balanced and has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. If there was a ranking for the top second wines in Bordeaux, this would be in the top handful of releases.

Score: 93 - 95

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 05 October 2023

The 2022 La Croix de Beaucaillou opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cigar wrapper and fresh mint, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a deep core of fruit framed by chunky tannins, it's a blend of 66% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.

Score: 90 - 92

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 28 April 2023

A chewy and polished red with blackberry and blueberry character. Full to medium body. Fine and tensioned. Excellent finish. Salty. Blackcurrants at the end. 66% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, and 2% petit verdot.

Score: 94 - 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 13 April 2023