La Croix de Beaucaillou 2016 - Second Vin du Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Excellent style, full-bodied for its category, a perfect Saint-Julien worthy of its origins—to be treated as a great wine.

About the estate:

Since 2003, Bruno Borie, with the invaluable assistance of Éric Boissenot as his winemaking consultant, has helped this renowned cru regain its former glory, coming very close to—and at times surpassing—certain premiers crus. The second wine, La Croix-de-Beaucaillou—which includes the remarkable vineyards of the former Terrey Gros Cailloux—has finally joined the ranks of the best in its category since 2005. A third Saint-Julien, Lalande-Borie—a long-established and highly regarded brand in the wine trade—is a supple, elegant, and early-drinking wine made from vines that belonged to Château Lagrange in 1855.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

With a medium-to-deep garnet color, the 2016 Croix de Beaucaillou offers aromas of blackcurrant, earth, black plum, black cherry, and blackberry, with hints of menthol, cigar, and crushed stone. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, the palate is lively and earthy, with firm, grainy tannins and a long, mineral finish.

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Lovers of great classic Médoc wines will find what they’re looking for with Ducru-Beaucaillou. Bruno Borie manages this superb estate with talent and determination; in recent years, he has positioned it among the top Bordeaux wines. Never ostentatious, nor over-extracted nor overly powerful, these wines shine with their distinction and silky texture. They are deep, easy-drinking, and well-balanced great Médoc wines. Be warned, however: since a Ducru-Beaucaillou only fully reveals itself with age, it’s always a shame to taste it too early; its great freshness on the finish and the elegant texture of its tannins are a testament to the exceptional character of its terroir. Croix de Beaucaillou, the château’s former second wine, is now a cru in its own right, with its own dedicated vineyard plots.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Richly spiced with abundant dark fruit and dark tannins, this powerful wine also displays great elegance. The juicy fruit shines through the structure, resulting in a wine with a promising future. Best enjoyed in 2024.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A pristine, appealing, fragrant, and fresh fruit profile. Notes of dark berries and plum, along with blackcurrant and blackberry, define the character of the nose and palate. The tannins are rich with ripe blackberries and plums and offer a superbly fresh, vibrant, and fruity finish. Best enjoyed starting in 2024.