Château Ducru-Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 'La Croix de Beaucaillou' 2012 (Magnum)

The wines of La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou come from the vineyard of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. This exceptional Médoc terroir is situated between the Gironde River to the east, the centre and the west of the Saint-Julien appellation. The estate owes its name to its “beautiful pebbles” ("beaux cailloux", in French) which, because of their high quartz content, make for soils that are poor in plant nutrients. 

La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is an original expression of the terroirs of Ducru-Beaucaillou, a blend that is one of a kind. Ducru-Beaucaillou’s elitist 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.

“Effectively a wine with its own dedicated portion of the Ducru Beaucaillou vineyard, this is structured and firm. It's concentrated with dark plum fruits and full of powerful tannins that go right through from start to finish. It certainly needs to age, so don't drink before 2022.” - 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast

"A solid second wine with black licorice and blackberry and mineral character. Sliced Chinese mushrooms. Full body, firm tannins and a soft and sexy texture.” - 92 Points, James Suckling

“The second wine at Ducru is not a blockbuster in 2012, but lovers of old-fashioned Bordeaux won't have a problem with that. Elegant and refined, with good acidity, notes of cassis, pomegranate and Asian spices, medium-weight tannins and a fresh flourish of a finish. Drink: 2020-28” - 92 Points, Tim Atkin

"Tasted blind at the Bordeaux 2012 Southwold tasting. The 2012 La Croix de Beaucaillou has a reserved but clean and focused bouquet of earthy black fruit, tobacco and a touch of bay leaf. It just needs a little more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is an attractive pencil lead note, fine balance with quite a long tail on the finish. This is another very satisfying deuxième vin from Bruno Borie, if not quite up there with the very best that he has produced in recent years.” - 89 Points, Robert Parker 

Producer: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Saint-Julien

Vintage: 2012

Size: 1.5L