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! — a month ago

Bonnie Chu

9.2

Slammin! Shroomy spice and plum — 18 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Merlot dominates this blend but there is some Cabernet Sauvignon and some Cabernet Franc blended in. Medium ruby color with a slight clear meniscus. Fruit forward aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, baking spices and cedar. Medium-plus finish. Medium body and very silky tannins. Well balanced/layered acidity and a very silky texture. A bit more austere than a traditional Medoc red blend. At peak. — 2 months ago

John Hagood

9.0

Probably from last Chambers sampler. 11/8/25 Cold Night. Very dark pour, potent scent out of bottle. Black fruits on nose. Moderate tannins. Solid sediments on second day. — 16 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Good Château Canon Croix Canon Saint Emilion 18 @8800, Pieroth, 251117 — 7 days ago

Gustavo

9.8

Vinho tomado com o Gustavo (Campinas) no Bloco C, em 1º/11. — 23 days ago

Dave Keatley

9.0

Opened this a few years too early. Dark and brooding. Olives, violet, blackberry. Wild and savory. Would love to try this again in a few years! — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Excellent CDP, bright fruit (raspberries/strawberries) on the nose, follows through on the palate, well balanced - only drawback is a slight wooden feel on the back end but easy to look past. Opened up wonderfully after a couple hours. JW big fan. Powerful enough to stand up to red meat despite being a Rhône — 21 days ago

Xista

9.1

Light tannin - tobacco leather - dark ruby red — 24 days ago

Jan A

9.5

What better companion to hachis permentier than a trusted chateneuf du pape. Still too young, it can use a couple of years of cellar time.
Edit: went from young to very drinkable in approx 45 minutes. Seamless C9DP. — a month ago