About the Wine

Beaucaillou translates to "beautiful pebble." This estate takes its name from the stones that lie in the vineyards. Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of the oldest in the Medoc, with records dating back to the 13th century.

The Borie family has been at the helm of the estate since 1940, consistently looking to improve. It is now managed by Bruno-Eugène Borie, the youngest son of the family and third generation of Borie, who has hands-on involvement in making the wine. 

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou is a world-renowned 2nd Growth classified Chateau. The estate has been one of wine critic's darlings through the years and has received numerous accolades and 90+ scores. They were awarded "the wine of the vintage" from Wine Spectator for their 1995 vintage.

Like the best classified growths that stretch along the estuary, starting from Margaux in the south, up to St Estèphe in the north, this property is perched on a magnificent emplacement of the Médoc with an unimpeded view over the Gironde estuary. The terroir of Saint Julien appellation is characterized by gravel from the Garonne dating back to the first period (Günz) of the Quaternary era; this layer gradually thins out from east to west, dwindling to fine white gravel and eolian sands at the westernmost end of the appellation.

Ducru-Beaucaillou vineyard stretches out along the eastern side of this vast communal terroir, hugging the river in the area where the quaternary gravels are the deepest. Gravel soil presents many advantages: it drains well, reflects the sun onto the grapes in closely planted vineyards, stores the heat of the day and releases it at night, forms a barrier that prevents the soil from drying out during hot summers… It is because of its soil that Ducru-Beaucaillou is often considered the archetypal Saint-Julien.

La Croix is Ducru-Beaucaillou's second label. These wines are crafted from the grapes grown in the beautiful vineyard of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, located in an exceptional Médoc terroir, and an ideal soil is for producing top-quality wines. The vineyard is divided into two sections, each with its own special characteristics. La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is a one-of-a-kind blend that represents the estate's unique terroir, and the winery takes a passionate and dedicated approach to craft exceptional wines.

Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels (60% new)

Tasting Notes:  62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant with violet and lavender, following through to a full body with very fine tannins and a creamy, beautifully caressing texture. Like the chocolate, walnut and berry aftertaste. Second wine of Ducru. Drink after 2025. ~94 James Suckling

Richly juicy and intense, this wine is massive, with concentrated tannins and dusty texture. The wine has weight and density but is also impressively fresh with acidity. It's a successful combination for this second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Drink from 2027.~94 Wine Enthusiast

The second wine of this great domaine is the 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, this ripe, opulent beauty boasts a dense purple color to go with a sexy, full-bodied style showing loads of blackcurrants, cassis, spice, candied violet, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors. Plush, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, this is one big, sumptuous Saint-Julien that's going to evolve for 15-20 years or more. ~94 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Croix has an IPT of 96 that comes from the unusually small size and thick skins of the Merlots, Cabernets, and Petit Verdot. It's a huge wine filled with deep, vivid and intense pencil lead, cassis and sweet black cherry, with a silky texture. It's aged in 70% new oak but this is already well integrated, and the wine is wonderfully stretched out through the palate. An impressive La Croix. ~93 Decanter

The nose is fruity and offers a fine concentration, a fine power as well as a small freshness. It reveals notes of fresh/juicy cassis, juicy raspberry and small notes of juicy blackberry associated with fine hints of lilac, a racy minerality, a very discreet hint of cardamom and toasted. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers a juiciness/acidulous frame, a good definition, finesse as well as tension, a certain delicacy, a small minerality and a fine concentration. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, juicy raspberry and small notes of ripe/juicy small red berries associated with a touch of blueberry, toasted, chocolate and fine hints of caramelization. Tannins are precise and fine. A wine full of finesse and delicacy full of gourmandize. ~93 VertdeVin

Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet ochre lightening on the rim. Attractive bouquet with hints of nougat and ripe fig, dark berry fruit, delicate sweetness and fine wood savouriness. Juicy palate, red cherry fruit, fine, well integrated tannins, but with some noticeable tannin on the finish. Already well developed and a versatile food wine.~93 Falstaff

The 2018 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in two-third new barriques. It has a pH of 3.75, 15% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 96. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blueberries, baked plums and blackcurrant cordial with hints of bouquet garni, underbrush, clove oil and cast-iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing earthy. Not a second wine as such, because it comes from a dedicated part of the vineyard, the blocks for La Croix de Beaucaillou are generally located on the south bank of the La Mouline steam. ~92 Wine Advocate

The 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is an outrageously beautiful, vivid wine. Gravel, crushed rocks, menthol, lavender, espresso, licorice and dark spice all infuse a racy, sumptuous Saint-Julien loaded with personality and class. In 2018 La Croix is especially fine. Ample, voluptuous and racy to the core, the 2018 is stunning in its beauty. I can't wait to taste it from bottle~92 Vinous Media

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