Croix de Beaucaillou - Château Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2011 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

The selection process under proprietor Bruno Borie is so severe at Ducru Beaucaillou that readers should be giving serious attention to the second wine, Croix de Beaucaillou, which sports a dramatic black and gold label. The 2011 exhibits attractive black currant and black cherry fruit, medium body, silky tannins and a lush, round, up-front appeal. Enjoy it over the next decade.

Jamessuckling.com

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

This is juicy and fruity with mineral and currant character. It's full-bodied with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Structured. Second wine of Ducru. Try in 2017.      

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014

Offers a vivid bolt of dark currant and blackberry fruit, lined with briar, ganache and tar notes that drive the finish along. Packed but sleek, showing good energy overall. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2016 through 2027

La Revue du Vin de France

15-15,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

Depuis 2010, le cru a pris son indépendance. Il ne s'agit plus du second vin de Ducru-Beaucaillou, mais d'une marqus à part entière. Le 2011 est une belle réussite, d'une grande gourmandise, avec une bouche sensuelle et d'une belle expression de fruit, tout en rondeur.

Le Point

14,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Nez épicé, fruits noirs, bouche suave, tendue mais ronde, joli fruit, frais, fin, friand. O= 2015 G= 10 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

84-87 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Decanter.com

16,5 / 20

the4/30/2012

Good density of quite restrained fruit, elegantly seductive style. Drink 2015-2022. (16.5 points)

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

The opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2011 Croix de Beaucaillou (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) exhibits copious aromas of incense, Christmas fruitcake and red and black currants presented in a richly fruity, opulent style that is almost atypical in a vintage such as 2011 (which generally emphasizes acidity, delineation and more traditional structure and freshness). This beauty is clearly a sleeper of the vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years. If you haven’t noticed yet, it’s time to jump on Bruno Borie’s bandwagon for the two wines being produced from separate parts of the Ducru Beaucaillou vineyard.

TAST

16,5-17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Arôme noble de cèdre, texture précise, sans maigreur, tanin racé lui aussi, un archétype de beau Saint-Julien.

Wein Wisser

16 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

2015-2028

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The 2011 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. It has fine delineation on the nose that is dominated by creamy new oak at the moment, although it is completely in synch with the ebullient ripe blackberry and briary fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite succulent tannins. There is a keen thread of citrus lemon and a touch of orange rind, with fine delineation and poise towards the tensile finish. This is a very fine second wine for the vintage, fresh and lively. Tasted April 2012.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

Blending 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.2% alcohol. Using 60% new oak, the wine will spend 12 months in barrel. Oak, truffle, tobacco and earth notes are found in the nose. The wine is soft, round and finishes with boysenberry, cherry and cocoa. 90-91 Pts

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/18/2012

Drink 2017-2028 Now with its Jade Jagger label (Rolling Stone and Beaucaillou, gettit?). 'Planned to ask Christian Lacroix but he was working on beer', said Bruno Borie. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. First year for the Petit Verdot. 60% new oak. Deep bright cherry. First year for the Petit Verdot. Exotically spiced, black fruit, even a little leathery. Purest phase of ripeness. Then more savoury on the palate. Both earthy and juicy. Very rounded but rich in the mouth, too, good amount of flesh – more flesh than many – filling out the tannins so that they are well hidden. (JH) 13.2% (16,5+ points)

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

This is big and solid wine, with firm tannins and juicy fruit. It shows spice and intense acidity followed by black-currant freshness. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

90-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Aromas of plums and berries with hints of chocolate and spice. Medium to full body, with firm tannins and a chocolate and berry undertone. Well done. Second wine of Ducru. 7% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot, and 73% Cabernet Sauvignon.