2015 Croix de Beaucaillou (St-Julien)

The 2015 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a floral note on the nose: small black cherries, blueberry and wilted violets, the last becoming more intense as the initially tight-fisted wine opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin. There is very well-judged acidity and its texture is harmonious and silky smooth. The quality is loaded more in the mouth than on the nose at the moment, but it is a seriously classy "deuxième vin" that just needs a little more persistence on the finish. 91-93 points

Smooth, classy black fruits – a very polished wine from a separate vineyard with no young vines. Excitingly expressive and will develop very well. 91 points

Savoury nose - really racy. Very fresh and sinewy. Racy and polished. Dry finish. But pretty sweet fruit in the middle. This `second wine` showed extremely well even next to the grand vin, but presumably will not last as long. 17 points

The second wine of Ducru comes from the central part of St. Julien, representing a 30-hectare parcel next to Léoville-Barton. This has lovely cassis purity, some chalky freshness, a dash of pepper spice from the Petit Verdot and serious, age worthy tannins. Drink: 2020-28. 94 points

The 2015 Croix de Beaucaillou emerges from a south-facing parcel in the center of Saint-Julien. Plump, racy and creamy on the palate, the 2015 offers lovely depth from start to finish. Cherry pit, plum, lavender and spice flesh out in the glass, but it is the wine`s overall balance that is most compelling. The Croix de Beaucaillou is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. 90-92 points