Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 1957 | For me, thé surprise in a line up of old vintages. A smell I would like to explore for a whole evening. | Because it was unknown to me, I did some research, the family Borie bought the domaine in 1932. After the dead of Marcel Borie in 1961 the chateau stopped as such and parcels were added to Château Haut Batailley. la Couronne as name has been used as a brand afterwards. — 3 hours ago

President Obama

9.3

Lovely day! — 7 months ago

rorolenantais

9.4

31 years old and still looks juvenile. No signs of evolution. First nose packed with red fruits and violet. Not very long, medium bodied, but so inviting ! — a year ago

Katherine M

9.8

Just like most Hungarian wines I’ve had, it is unique and amazing! Maybe I’m a little biased because my family is Hungarian but I found it to be a memorable and easily drinkable wine — 2 years ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.1

At Frenchies ., 2016 is really good, well balanced and smooth. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black fruits with light wood, spices, coffee and chocolates.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 5 year old, second wine from this Fifth Growth Bordeaux winery is drinking very nicely now.

Well balanced with nice complexity. Spicy, rich and fruit forward.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 15 months.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Ruby , with a ruby pink rim . Slightly cooler , tobacco , grafite edged Summer fruits, with red cherry and spicy blackberry, cassis . Blackcurrant , spicy red cherry , some grafite , tobacco hints . A little drier and more linear on the palate than the Lalande Borie , but also shorter and a little less complex on the medium minus finish . Drink now and over the next 5-8 years . — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou – 2021
AOC Saint-Julien – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
The second wine of the famed 2nd Growth Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, crafted under the stewardship of the Borie family. The 2021 vintage carries the estate’s signature terroir of deep gravel soils (“beaux cailloux” meaning “beautiful stones”), producing wines with elegance, depth, and longevity. Typical blend leans on Cabernet Sauvignon 64%, Merlot 32% and Petit Verdot 4% for a compelling profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum layered with graphite, tobacco, and cedar. Secondary notes of violets, cocoa powder, and subtle spice add depth and intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannic backbone with a silky texture emerging mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied, offering precision and finesse over sheer power. Fresh acidity frames the fruit, finishing long with mineral-driven elegance.

Food Pairings
Ribeye steak, venison, or duck confit, gourmet burgers, grilled portobello mushrooms, or truffle pizza. Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or sharp Cheddar.

Verdict
A true Saint-Julien expression, structured yet polished, approachable in youth but built to evolve. This second wine offers a taste of Ducru’s pedigree without the grand vin price tag.

Did You Know?
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou earned its name from the large “beautiful stones” (cailloux) that dominate the vineyard’s gravel soils, perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in heat-retentive terroir.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For lovers of Left Bank Bordeaux, this is a perfect introduction to Ducru’s magic, refined, powerful, and unmistakably Saint-Julien at a very affordable price point. Cheers! — 7 months ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.1

2019 vintage stored in my cellar. Very good vintage. Smooth with no aftertaste. Typical Bordeaux flavors. — 8 months ago

Daniel Sullivan

9.6

Pretty dark fruit, black pepper, and herbal nose.
Voluptuous yet lean palate; big fruit start with good acidity and low heat on the alcohol.
Young, but refined:) — 2 years ago