Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou - La Croix de Beaucaillou 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "The purity of fruit is so beautiful here with blackcurrants and violets, as well as freshly shaved lead pencil. It’s medium-bodied with refined tannins that are wonderfully polished and give plenty of texture. Goes on for minutes. Second wine of Ducru. 58% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot."

WEINWISSER: "58 % Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Petit Verdot. Delikates blaubeeriges Bouquet, zartes Veilchenparfüm, parfümierter Pfeifentabak, Lakritze und Heidelbeerdrops. Am saftigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, sehr dicht und geradlinig, dynamische, nach vorne schnellende Rasse und ein komplexer Körper. Im gebündelten Finale Brombeere, Graphit und Sauerkirschnektar mit feiner Szechuan-Note. „Es ist ein St. Julien – die Qualität der Tannine waren unglaublich", schwärmt Bruno Borie."

DECANTER: "Herbal, savoury aromatics, the Cabernet really speaking on the nose. Soft sage, mint, liquorice, blackcurrant, violet and some red fruits too. Lovely profile. Streamlined and straight - focussed but with supple, soft tannins that fill the mouth. Lovely salinity that extends the expression. Tannins are definitely more integrated with some of the subtle power coming at the end. I like this wine this year, soft, not trying so hard, juicy, chalky and plush, still with that minty, clove Cabernet spice and blackcurrant fruit. It’s dark and serious but this will be a lovely wine in time. 3.71pH, 91 IPT. Ageing 12 months, 60% new oak."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, schwarze Kirschen, etwas Cassis, kandierte Orangenzesten sind unterlegt. Stoffig, reife schwarze Kirschen, präsente Tannine, mineralisch, zart blättrige Würze im Abgang, kalkig-mineralisch, bleibt haften, etwas Nugat im Nachhall, verfügt über Entwicklungspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Cinnamon, espresso, roses, cherries, and currants pop in the nose, The palate is medium-bodied, fresh, silky, vibrant, and expansive. You find blackberries, currants, creamy textures, and loads of freshness in the finish. The wine is a blend of 58% Merlot, and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2040."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The true second wine of this great château, the 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is 58% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot, resting in a mix of mostly once-used oak. It has a more Cabernet nose of ripe red, blue, and black fruits as well as subtle tobacco, iron, sappy flowers, and graphite notes. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has fine tannins and a great finish. It shines for its overall balance as well as purity. This beauty hit 13.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.71 and a massive IPT of 91."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou comes bounding out with notes of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and fresh blackberries followed by hints of iris, pencil lead, and fragrant earth. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet and refreshing, with soft, approachable tannins and plenty of bright blue and black fruit, finishing with a skip in its step. The blend is 58% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot."

VINUM: "Verführerischer Duft, expressiv, Gewürze, Kräuter; am Gaumen straff, mit Rasse und Frische, knackige Frucht, etwas herbes Tannin im mittellangen Abgang."