Farr Vintners Logo

La Croix de Beaucaillou 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Label

Tasting Notes

The grand vin is the result of an increasingly strict selection process, with approximately 50% of the production going into the final wine and the balance used in the Croix de Beaucaillou. The 2009 may be the finest example of this cuvee I have yet tasted. Up-front, precocious and generous, it possesses a dense purple color, a big, broad, unctuous texture and abundant notes of creme de cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with hints of wood smoke, vanillin and earth. This nearly viscous-styled wine can be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for 15+.

Bruno Borie has done a remarkable job at Ducru Beaucaillou. Drink: N/A

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (199), March 2012

Tasted at the château. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, matured in 60% new oak and the rest, one-year old, coming in with 13.35% alcohol and pH of 3.69, this has a lifted, quite minty nose, blackberry, a touch of cedar, taking its time to unfurl and then later, a touch of black olive tapenade. The palate is full-bodied, quite smooth and sensuous, very pure, quite feminine, small black cherries, a touch of plum and a nice citrus-led finish. Almost understated at first, but growing all the time in the glass. Silky smooth finish. Tasted March 2010.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010

Rose, mineral, currant and berries on the nose. Full-bodied, with firm and chewy tannins and a long finish. Polished and pretty. Could use a little bit more in the center palate, but very good indeed. Second wine of Ducru.

89/92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2010

Another second wine, before Jade Jagger was given the job of repackaging it like a bottle of scent. Relatively pale crimson. Luscious and yet dry on the end. Really well constituted. Dense and set for a great future. Drink 2015-2023

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, Wine Relief Tasting, January 2013

Bruno Borie's relentless pursuit of excellence at Ducru Beaucaillou has resulted in the production levels falling by around 50%. The chief beneficiary of the draconian selection process here is this - the second label - which contains fruit that was once always used for the "grand vin". Another wine - Lalande Borie is made from the vineyards further inland from the estuary near Talbot. Really a single vineyard separate wine - 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. 60% new oak. Very much a rival for Clos du Marquis. Good density, serious "vin de garde" style with deep, saturated black fruits, very much trying to taste like a classed growth rather than a forward second wine. Some fine smoky oak. Serious.

91
Farr Vintners, January 2010

The richness of cassis backed by bramble gives flesh on the nose and this depth of flavour enriches the palate. The sweetness of the fruit and rounded tannins gives richness but nothing jammy as there is enough bilberry and bramble freshness to balance. The firmness on the back palate gives the finish a serious quality. Drink 2018-2030.

90/93
Derek Smedley MW, April 2010

Yet another top château whose second wine isn't so far behind the grand vin in terms of quality, Ducru has produced a stunner here. It's very much a Cabernet-based style, with muscular structure and fresh acidity, but the tannins are beautifully handled, enveloped by notes of dark chocolate, plum and sweet blackberries. 15+ years.

94
Tim Atkin MW, April 2010

Black red, really good depth of fruit and totally polished Saint-Julien style with spice and grip due to high proportion of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2014-22.

17
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2010

Very approachable wine with bright, generous fruit. It has a round, rich and creamy texture and a lovely finish. I highly recommend this one, I'd be more than happy to have a case or two.

Phillip Schofield, Wine Relief Tasting, January 2013
Read more tasting notes...

Ducru's second wine, the 2009 Croix de Beaucaillou, is a thrill to taste. Made from a single vineyard, it exhibits a dense purple color along with a creamy texture and loads of creme de cassis fruit intertwined with notions of charcoal, incense, and spice. Round, generous, and opulent, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. (Tasted once.)

88/90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. From the centre of the appellation area and all the young vines too. Deep crimson. Lively and fresh on the nose. Sleek, polished, very sweet and frank - black fruits on the palate. 60% new oak. Dries out a bit on the finish. A little exaggerated. Cool and drying on the finish. Date tasted 31st March 2010. Drink 2017-2028.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.