| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Dark berries, iron and hints of rust with some iodine. Full-bodied, round and juicy with a solid backbone of tannins and focus. This second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Polished. Drink in 2021.
Savoury nose - really racy. Very fresh and sinewy. Racy and polished. Dry finish. But pretty sweet fruit in the middle. This 'second wine' showed extremely well even next to the grand vin, but presumably will not last as long. 13.53%
Drink 2022-2034
The 2015 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou comes from a dedicated site in the southern part of the estate and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc brought up in two-thirds new oak. It’s a polished, elegant, medium-bodied beauty revealing classic Ducru-Beaucaillou notes of cassis, tobacco and lead pencil. It has real class and poise, and while already approachable, I suspect will have two decades of longevity. 2018 - 2038
The nose has mix of fresh fragrant black fruits and the start of the palate is bright and light. There is more depth in the middle rich ripe fruit supple and fleshy the underlying tannins are fine giving support and although less concentrated at the back it finishes with sweetness.
The second wine of Ducru comes from the central part of St. Julien, representing a
30-hectare parcel next to Léoville-Barton. This has lovely cassis purity, some chalky
freshness, a dash of pepper spice from the Petit Verdot and serious, age worthy tannins.
Drink: 2020-28
A very good Croix with more density and a creamier texture than of late, the ripeness and flesh is apparent in this wine
and this has propped up the middle palate. Lovely, silky and rather exotic, this is also a surprisingly long wine with no
trace of the level of new oak.
The 2015 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a floral note on the nose: small black cherries, blueberry and wilted violets, the last becoming more intense as the initially tight-fisted wine opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin. There is very well-judged acidity and its texture is harmonious and silky smooth. The quality is loaded more in the mouth than on the nose at the moment, but it is a seriously classy "deuxième vin" that just needs a little more persistence on the finish. Drink: 2021 - 2045.
A juicy and savory second wine from Ducru with lots of ripe fruit and spice character. Chocolate and walnut undertones. Full body, velvety tannins and a fresh finish
