Croix Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2016

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe8/13/2020

The 2016 Croix de Beaucaillou has a very attractive bouquet of high-toned but controlled blackberry and blueberry fruit neatly enmeshed with some quality new oak. The medium-bodied palate delivers fine-boned tannins, well-judged acidity and a silky-smooth, sensual finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a very impressive 2016. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

While the top wine gets all the attention, the second wine 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is well worth seeking out and unquestionably shows some of the class and purity of the grand vin. A more forward, fleshy wine with oodles of black raspberries, cassis, and floral hints, it’s a total charmer with its fine, supple tannins and great finish. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in 60% new barrels, drink it any time over the coming 15-20 years.

Wine Spectator

91

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

Solid, with engaging cassis, cherry and blueberry fruit flavors, backed by a mouthwatering bramble note and flash of roasted apple wood. Captures the essence of '16 St.-Julien in a more accessible package. Best from 2021 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

Pristine, attractive fruit with perfume and freshness. Dark-berry and plum notes, as well as cassis and brambleberries, define the character of both nose and palate. The tannins are saturated in ripe dark berries and plums and deliver a superbly fresh, shimmering, dark-fruited finish. Wow-factor is strong here in 2016. Try this from 2024.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

Almost opaque in color, the 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a tightly wound, quite pixelated bouquet of black cherries, melted tar and humidor aromas that only gradually unfold. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, perfectly judged acidity, a silky-smooth texture and a pure, sustained finish that is adorable. This is a pretty Saint Julien, equal to many of the Grand Vins.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is dark, dense and quite powerful, with plush, silky tannins that wrap around a core of rich fruit. Black cherry, chocolate, menthol, leather and spice, espresso and cedar all add character. This sumptuous, racy Saint-Ju will drink well right out of the gate. Readers should expect a potent, concentrated wine. The 2016 spent 12 months in oak, 70% new. Tasted two times.

Wine Advocate

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou gives up aromas of cassis, earth, black plums, black cherries and mulberries with wafts of menthol, cigars and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is lively and earthy with firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe10/31/2018

Rich and silky in texture, there's some lovely cinnamon and black pepper spice here, with lovely grip from the very fine tannins and good drive too. It's extremely precise, with every piece in its place, a considered and drawn out style featuring notes of menthol and bitter dark chocolate. It's really bedding in for the long haul. It shows that even the second wines can be powerful and concentrated in 2016.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

WeinWisser

17

byTjark Witzgallthe5/22/2017

Dichtes Purpur mit Granatschimmer am Rand. Dichtes Schattenmorellenbouquet mit Heidelbeere und Lakritze,  ahinter Cassisdrops. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit Veilchen und schwarzer Johannisbeere, sehniger Körper mit langem Finale.

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Notes remarquables de cèdre mais le grand vin lui fait un peu de tort. Si le prix ne flambe pas, ce sera un must.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that is matured in 60% new oak for 12 months and the remainder in one-year-old barrels. It has quite a rich and opulent bouquet, quite glossy with scents of kirsch, crushed strawberry, crème de cassis and a touch of vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sumptuous tannin counterbalance but a keen thread of acidity (the pH is 3.65). There is great tension here, immense purity with quite a structured, almost flinty finish that is classic in style. Though it is a Deuxième Vin, it deserves several years in bottle.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Satiny, slick, ready fruits loosen your taste buds, displaying a wine with lift, length and character. The plums are perfect and the finish has lasting charm. From a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.44% alcohol and is aging in 60% new French oak barrels.

matthewjukes.com

17

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(64 Cabernet Sauvignon, 33 Merlot, 3 Petit Verdot) | 60% new oak | 13.4% alc. | 78 IPT This is a very exotic and very attractive La Croix. Great focus and also seductively spicy with Asian notes and also coffee and chocolate notes which I think come from the hot summer. Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, this is a modern and succulent wine and I think that it will do very well. Superb glossiness and exuberance mark this as a very fine selection. 17+

Decanter.com

92

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

Produced from Gunz gravels on south-facing slopes, with their high iron-oxide content. The blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, with a 3.65ph and aged in 60% new oak barrels. The grapes were picked from 27th September to 5th October, taking advantage of the first rains of September but not those of October. Here they have the benefits of the fresh air from the Garonne river that Ducru looks out over, so long, slow ripening of the grapes is evident in a cooling, fresh finish that adds lift and juice to the black cherry fruits. Lovely spice evident through the palate also. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Not a second wine but from a particular area in the middle of the AOC. 60% new oak. IPT 78. Bright, deep crimson. Tastes so dramatic that it's on the edge – almost camembert notes. Lots of spiciness and glamour and then the oak insists a bit. The new oak is a tad obvious at the moment.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This is a firm, dark wine, with dense tannins. It is well balanced, having the ripe fruit that is the hallmark of this vintage. It comes from a single parcel of Ducru-Beaucaillou vineyards. It is likely to age over the long term while showing attractive fruit at an early stage.

Wine Spectator

91-94

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This is lovely from the get-go, with notes of warm ganache and incense in front of a core of alluring crushed blueberry, açai and cassis flavors. Polished and suave on the finish.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is very tight and focused with blackberries, blackcurrants and licorice. Lots of crushed stones, too. Full-bodied, tightly wound and pretty. Exciting second wine from Ducru.