La Croix de Ducru Beaucaillou, 2nd wine of Ch. Ducru Beaucaillou, 2017

Description

The 75 hectare vineyard of Ducru Beaucaillou is planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. This shows a change in the vineyard since the mid 1990’s with an increase in the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot due to the removal of the previously planted Petit Verdot vines.

The average age of the vines is 35 years. However, Ducru Beaucaillou has old vines. Their oldest plot is the Les Sadons parcel which was planted all the way back in 1918. The heart and soul of the Ducru Beaucaillou vineyard is their vines planted adjacent to the chateau.

Even though that portion of their vineyard is large, at close to 50 hectares of vines, with its easy access to the Gironde and deep gravel slopes, this is some of the best terroir in all of Bordeaux. Additionally they have another 20 hectares of vines located further inland, and to the north, close to Chateau Talbot. Starting with the 2018 vintage, Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou began their conversion to 100% organic farming methods.

Tasting Notes

Blend Ratio (Estimate): 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 58% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot

"This is not a second wine per se, as it consistently comes from a separate vineyard in Saint-Julien. The blend is usually around 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, but this year it has a high percentage of Merlot: 58%, with 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Croix de Beaucaillou has quite a spicy nose sporting cloves, anise, black pepper and fenugreek with a core of crushed blackberries and black currants plus wafts of underbrush and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness supporting the vivacious fruit, finishing long and earthy."

-Robert Parker

Serving Suggestions

Ideal with Pork, Beef and Lamb meat. Perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta as well as cheese.

Ratings

Robert Parker 91, Decanter 93, James Suckling 93