Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou - La Croix de Beaucaillou 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant with violet and lavender, following through to a full body with very fine tannins and a creamy, beautifully caressing texture. Like the chocolate, walnut and berry aftertaste. Second wine of Ducru. Drink after 2025."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung. Ein Hauch von Nougat und reifen Feigen, dunkle Beerenfrucht ist unterlegt, zarte Süße, feine Holzwürze, attraktives Bukett. Saftig, rote Herzkirschen, feine, gut integrierte Tannine, bereits gut entwickelt, etwas Gerbstoff im Abgang, ein vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in two-third new barriques. It has a pH of 3.75, 15% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 96. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blueberries, baked plums and blackcurrant cordial with hints of bouquet garni, underbrush, clove oil and cast-iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing earthy. Not a second wine as such, because it comes from a dedicated part of the vineyard, the blocks for La Croix de Beaucaillou are generally located on the south bank of the La Mouline steam."

WEINWISSER: "62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot, 3 % Petit Verdot, 15vol % Alkohol. Dichtes Granat. Verführerisches Bouquet nach Wildkirschen, Cassiswürze, frischem Bergpfeffer, dahinter dunkle Edelhölzer, zarte Graphitspuren und Tabakblatt. Am bulligen Gaumen mit weicher Textur und engmaschigem Tannin, der hohe Alkoholgehalt wirkt absorbiert. Im gebündelten Finale mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen, Zedern und Wacholderbeeren. Top–Leistung!"

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is deep garnet purple in color. It features notions of warm cassis, baked plums, and roses, with hints of spice cake, chocolate, and stewed tea. Medium-bodied, the palate has ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness supporting the generous fruit, with a fragrant finish."

DECANTER: "In 2018, La Croix is a rumbustious, powerful St-Julien weighing in with 15% alcohol. This feels very New World in character, in a blind-tasting it could almost be mistaken for a Napa Valley wine. Impressive in its heft, the fleshy fruit is plump and ripe but the palate finishes rather hot, with edgy tannins reflecting the challenges of the vintage. Impressive but not as refreshing as I'd like my Bordeaux to be."