2022 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou La Croix de Beaucaillou

The 2022 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou La Croix de Beaucaillou is a polished, modern Saint-Julien that captures the elegance of its Grand Cru Classé parent estate while offering earlier approachability. Crafted from meticulously selected parcels of Ducru-Beaucaillou’s vineyards, this cuvée delivers serious depth, precision and refinement at a more accessible price point. As the long-established ‘second wine’ of one of Bordeaux’s most revered châteaux, La Croix de Beaucaillou has earned a reputation in recent decades as a true insider’s choice for Left Bank collectors.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 La Croix de Beaucaillou shows a deep, vibrant garnet-purple hue, signalling both concentration and youthful energy. The nose is expressive and layered, with ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and plum at the core, lifted by notes of violet, cedar, graphite and a touch of crushed rocks that speak clearly of its Médoc origins. Hints of dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and sweet spices from quality French oak add further complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a supple, velvety texture and finely etched tannins that are already impressively integrated. Flavours of cassis, blackberry and ripe damson are framed by fresh acidity, giving the wine both richness and lift. Subtle notes of mocha, pencil shavings and savoury herbs unfold with air, leading to a long, precise finish marked by mineral tension and finesse rather than sheer power. Although approachable within a few years of the vintage, this 2022 has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years, gaining tertiary notes of leather, cigar box and truffle with cellaring.

Production
La Croix de Beaucaillou is sourced from the gravel-rich terraces of Saint-Julien in the Médoc, where deep layers of ‘beaux cailloux’—the beautiful large Günzian gravels that give the estate its name—provide ideal drainage and encourage the vine roots to plunge deep. This exceptional terroir, combined with the temperate maritime climate of the Gironde estuary, yields Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (with a touch of Petit Verdot in many vintages) of great aromatic purity and structure. Grapes are typically harvested by hand in small crates, with careful sorting in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only pristine fruit makes it into the cuvée. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, parcel by parcel, to preserve nuance; the wine then matures in French oak barrels—often with a significant proportion of second-fill barrels from the Grand Vin—to achieve a judicious balance of fruit, oak influence and silky tannin.

Food & Serving
This refined Saint-Julien is a natural partner for classic French cuisine and richly flavoured dishes. Think roasted lamb with herbs, entrecôte steak, duck breast, beef Wellington or venison with a red wine reduction; it also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes, truffled poultry, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or mature Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and supple texture. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins; as the wine matures, a gentle 30–45 minute decant will help it show at its best while allowing any sediment to settle.

Producer
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of the great names of Bordeaux, a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) from the 1855 Classification and a benchmark for the commune of Saint-Julien. The estate takes its name from the large, beautiful gravel stones—‘beaux cailloux’—that dominate its vineyards and contribute so much to the distinctive character of its wines. Under the long-term stewardship of the Borie family, Ducru-Beaucaillou has undergone a remarkable qualitative renaissance, combining rigorous vineyard management with state-of-the-art winemaking. La Croix de Beaucaillou, introduced as a separate, terroir-driven cuvée, has evolved from a traditional second wine into a highly respected, stand-alone label that showcases the château’s savoir-faire and the singular elegance of Saint-Julien in a more approachable, yet still ageworthy, expression.

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