| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
An outstanding wine and a great sleeper of the vintage, this second wine exhibits a denser purple color along with a sweet kiss of creme de cassis, licorice, incense and graphite. Fruity and medium to full-bodied , with an impressive texture and supple tannins, this wine should drink well for 10-15 years.
The 2008 Croix de Beaucaillou has an intense blackberry and briary scented bouquet with fine mineralité and delineation. This just soars from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well judged acidity, plenty of cedar infused black fruit with a touch of tobacco towards the persistent finish. This is a well crafted and quite delicious 2008 Saint Julien that should give a decade’s more drinking pleasure. What panache for a deuxième vin. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting. 2018 - 2028
The nose is packed out with ripe black fruits and this weight of sweet fruit is there on the palate. Blackcurrant intermingles with sloe their richness nicely balanced by lighter fresher bilberry. The tannins are firm but not aggressive although at this stage they do tend to close down the finish and hold back fruit expression.
A second wine has improved immensely under the administration of Bruno Borie, and the 2008 Croix de Beaucaillou is a sensual effort displaying sweet tannins, copious quantities of black currant and blueberry fruit, medium to full body, and a long finish with no hard edges. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, it should drink beautifully for 15 or more years.Bruno Borie deserves accolades for the remarkable things he has accomplished at Ducru Beaucaillou over the last few years.
Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. This has a lovely, classic undergrowth scented bouquet with some fine black earthy fruit with overt cedar notes, almost Saint Estèphe-like. The palate is medium-bodied with strong tobacco notes on the entry, good depth, a little coarse and rustic and charming on its spicy finish. Very fine but surprisingly austere for La Croix. Tasted January 2012.
