A big jump up in depth and quality on the aromatics from Madame de Beaucaillou, here you get unmistakable mid palate weight and texture, with juice and salinity on the finish, 3.7pH. Harvest 23 September to 8 October. 60% new oak (in 2022 it was at 80%). Good stuff from the Ducru team, delivering an earlier drinking vintage of this wine that maintains estate signature. 92 points

The 2024 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is an absolute delight. Pliant and supple, with gorgeous mid-palate creaminess, the 2024 is accessible right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and spice all flesh out in the glass. Soft, succulent contours wrap it all together. There`s terrific depth here, and plenty of substance too. This Merlot-based Saint-Julien offers tons of forward appeal. 90-92 points

The 2024 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou matured in two-thirds new oak this year, the usual percentage. It has a precise bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and background slate-like aromas. This is finely focused, though more understated than recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied and quite peppery, with grainy tannins, gentle grip and a slightly stony finish. This is a more linear and classically styled Deuxieme Vin that will deserve two or three years in bottle. 91-93 points