In the glass
Aroma: damson plum, cassis, smoked oak, licorice, hazelnut
Palate: concentrated berry fruits, chalky tannin, fine freshness, subtly spicy
Powerful and silky with aromatic richness; introduces the Borie house style at an accessible level with plush berry fruit and balanced oak spice.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled Bordeaux lamb chops
The wine's Merlot-forward softness and dark fruit complement the mineral sweetness of milk-fed lamb. -
Duck confit with roasted root vegetables
Rich, gamey duck fat meets the wine's subtly spicy cassis and plush tannins in harmony. -
Mushroom-stuffed beef tenderloin
Umami-rich mushrooms amplify the wine's earthy, tobacco-inflected backbone.
How to serve La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled Bordeaux lamb chops, Duck confit with roasted root vegetables, Mushroom-stuffed beef tenderloin. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Created in 1995 as the estate's second wine, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou sources from younger vines and parcels that do not meet the strict selection for the grand vin. It took its current name in 2019, replacing the previous 'La Croix de Beaucaillou' label.
- 1995 — Second wine launched under the name La Croix de Beaucaillou
- 2019 — Renamed to La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou with updated label
Facts
- Producer
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (46%), Petit Verdot (4%)
- Classification
- Saint-Julien AOC
- Oak
- 60% new French oak barrels
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €40-65 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
Scores
- Decanter 94 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Wine Advocate 91 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou
What does La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou taste like?
On the nose, damson plum, cassis, smoked oak, licorice, hazelnut. On the palate, concentrated berry fruits, chalky tannin, fine freshness, subtly spicy. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Powerful and silky with aromatic richness; introduces the Borie house style at an accessible level with plush berry fruit and balanced oak spice.
When should I drink La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou?
Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou?
Grilled Bordeaux lamb chops is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck confit with roasted root vegetables and Mushroom-stuffed beef tenderloin. The wine's Merlot-forward softness and dark fruit complement the mineral sweetness of milk-fed lamb.
What grapes are in La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (46%), Petit Verdot (4%). The wine is classified as Saint-Julien AOC.