La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou 2020

The smoothness and aromatic finesse of a Saint-Julien red wine by Ducru-Beaucaillou

The estate

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is the emblematic Cru Classé of Saint-Julien and watches over a prestigious terroir. Over the past 300 years, six families have worked to make this world-renowned cru shine. Owned by the Borie family since 1941, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from its terroir of "beaux cailloux" (beautiful stones) made up of Günzian gravel. Managed by Bruno Borie, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou ranks among the elite of the great red wines of Saint-Julien. Vintage after vintage, it delights lovers of great Médoc wines throughout the world.

The vineyard

The singular nature of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is due to the exceptional quality of its vineyard, planted on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The vines are planted on Gravel Gunzian and Pyrenean soils deposited by the river almost two million years ago. Out of these lean and poor soils come exceptional Saint-Julien wines. The proximity of the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou vineyard to the Gironde estuary provides natural protection against the vagaries of the weather.

The wine

Produced from a plot-by-plot selection of vines from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou offers a unique expression of the great terroir of Saint-Julien. This "high-flying" cuvée is made from vines located to the east, centre and west of the AOC Saint-Julien.

The ageing

12 months in Bordeaux-style French oak barrels, 60% new oak, 40% barrels of one previous wine. Ageing is accompanied by regular topping-up during the first six months, as well as precise racking every two or three months.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (53%)
Merlot (44%)
Petit Verdot (3%).

Tasting

Colour
The wine is an intense, purplish colour.

Nose
The nose mixes pronounced fragrances of blackcurrant, cherry, graphite, cacao and spices.

Palate
The full-bodied palate seduces with its fine and enticing tannins. Delicious aromas of fruit impart, through their concentration, a voluptuous texture and a great suppleness. The finish is finely balanced, with a tasty persistence.