Description
《Terroir Collection》
La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou 2017 St-Julien 2nd Growth Grand Cru Class "Second Wine" 《ZTF1029》
Region : St-Julien
Grapes : 58% merlot, 39% cabernet sauvignon, 3% petit verdot
Alcohol : 13.5% vol
Website: https://chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com/
⭐ Robert Parker rated Ducru Beaucaillour as "Super 2nd Growth Grand Cru Class"
⭐ Emile Peynaud as Winemaking Consultant
🏅Wine Enthusiast 94 pts
🏅James Suckling 93 pts
🏅Jeb Dunnuck 93 pts
🏅Vinous 92 pts
🏅Tim Atkin 94 pts
🏅Wine Advocate 89-91 pts
🏅Wine Spectator 91 pts
🏅Decanter 93 pts
🏅Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 pts
🏅VIVINO 4.2
Background
Aseminal meeting in the Age of Enlightenment. It all started with a marriage. An illustrious servant of the king, squire Jacques de Bergeron took Marie Dejean, heiress of the vineyard, for his wife on 30 May 1720 in the church of Saint-Julien de Reignac. In 1860, Marie-Louise Ravez bought out her brother, Jean-Baptiste Gustave Ducru, and became the sole owner.Under his stewardship, the property saw great improvements in quality within Saint-Julien and the growth was the most expensive in the appellation at this time. Consecration came with the 1855 classification : Château Ducru (Beaucaillou) was given a noble position on the second step of the Bordeaux podium. In 1942, Francis Borie therefore took Ducru-Beaucaillou on a life annuity rental from Fernand Odon Desbarats de Burke. A relentless builder, this energetic merchant from Corrèze was also a passionate winegrower at Château Haut Batailley, a classified growth in neighbouring Pauillac. Liked and respected by all, Francis had a deep sweetness of soul; he had no lack of generosity. Since 1953, Emile Peynaud, a famous winemaker became their wine consultant.
In 1959, Jean-Eugène, succeeding his father, undertook meticulous work to restore the vineyard and the cellars. Quickly abandoning the family’s merchant business, he dedicated himself to the development and modernisation of the property to put it entirely at the service of the wines he loved so much. His considerable efforts began to bear fruit in the second half of the 1950s when Ducru-Beaucaillou’s reputation rose to the highest level in Bordeaux, and it has never been refuted since then.
His superb vintages, combined with his modesty and tongue-in-cheek humour, made him one of the most endearing personalities of the Médoc.
La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is an original expression of the terroirs of Ducru-Beaucaillou, a blend that is one of a kind. Ducru-Beaucaillou’selitist approach is fully at work here. As is a passion, that of a team dedicated to excellence. A high-flying wine that perfectly expresses its terroir of exception. This wine blends a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon(around 60% each year), completed with Merlot Noir (35% to 37%) as well as a subtly spicy touch of Petit Verdot (3% to 5%). It is carefully aged for 12 months in barrels of which two-thirds are new each vintage. Powerful, silky,very aromatic, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou beguiles with its bouquet, its balance, its remarkable finesse and its lengthy finish. A great cuvée that stimulates, then captivates the senses; it is the perfect introduction to the Borie signature.
🏅Wine Enthusiast 94 pts
This wine has structure and dense tannins that come from the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon. Black-currant flavors are layered within the ripe structure of a fruity wine with a great future.
🏅James Suckling 93 pts
Intense and pure aromas of blueberries and cassis here,. The palate has a smooth, fine-edged core of tannin and a good build of rich fruit flavor. Some graphite to the black fruit. A blend of 58% merlot, 39% cabernet sauvignon and 3% petit verdot. Second wine of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou.
🏅Jeb Dunnuck 93 pts
It has a great nose of creme de cassis, crushed rock, lead pencil, and dried herbs. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant wine that has silky tannins, a great mid-palate, and bright acidity.
🏅Vinous 92 pts
The 2017 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is bold, juicy and super expressive. A rush of blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice and spice all build in a Saint-Julien loaded with resonance and volume. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine.
🏅Tim Atkin 94 pts
Inky black colour. Very deep chalky tannins, spices and rich black fruit. Very intense. Rich and juicy black fruit. Juicy and intense and sweet black fruit. Very good indeed. Super rich finish.
🏅Wine Advocate 89-91 pts
The 2017 La Croix de Beaucaillou has quite a spicy nose sporting cloves, anise, black pepper and fenugreek with a core of crushed blackberries and black currants plus wafts of underbrush and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness supporting the vivacious fruit, finishing long and earthy.
🏅Wine Spectator 91 pts
Inviting, featuring crushed loganberry and plum fruit flavors, mixed with warm anise and black tea notes. A solid graphite spine runs through the finish.
🏅Decanter 93 pts
A clear step up in richness, polish and texture. 80% new oak at this point. In these kind of vintages though, it is noteworthy that you have to climb this high to really be assured of getting a bottle that impresses and that lives up to the expectations of the appellation and château. Lovely damson fruits here. Will be ready to drink earlier than the monumental 2016, but you are getting a slick, well defined wine with plenty of great fruit. There is an austerity at this point, in that you feel the tannins closing in towards the finish, but this is the one I would happily recommend.
🏅Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 pts
Deep crimson. Again that scented cherry fruit that I tasted in Lalande Borie with just a hint of char. Savoury as well as sweet-fruited – definite red fruit on the silky mid palate. Firmer on the finish but lots of fruit in the middle and a long, juicy, fresh finish. Fine tannins and just a hint of chocolate-sweet tannins on the finish.
$310/ bottle
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