La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou 2022

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicately spicy-peppery, underpinned with black forest berryish fruit, ripe cherries, nougat, very inviting bouquet. Deep and complex, dark fruit, cool touch, firm, supporting tannins, mineral and lasting, dark nougat in the finish. Will benefit from a few more years of bottle ageing.

The second wine of the château, the 2022 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou, is slightly more Merlot-based, as the majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon went to the Grand Vin. Based on 66% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, it has a dense purple hue as well as brilliant aromatics of ripe black cherries, cassis, graphite, and spring flowers. This carries to a medium- to full-bodied Saint-Julien offering fine, polished tannins, remarkable elegance, and a great finish. Despite being a second wine, this brings ample structure and tannins and will have well over two decades of longevity.

66% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. Delicate bouquet, freshly picked blueberry, subtle violet perfume, light tobacco and graphite. On the palate, linear and well-structured, with a silky texture, tightly knit tannins and a well-toned body. The concentrated finish brings a basket of blue berries, dark minerality and a powdery astringency. Everything is in its right place here!

Intense, concentrated, succulent, with bitter cocoa bean and mint leaf notes, dark berry fruit; this captures the spirit of the vintage while giving it a sleek, confident accent, packed with sinewy tannins and floral nuances. 80% new oak for ageing, harvest from September 7 to October 4. An upscore since En Primeur.

An enchanting, sensual nose unfurls notes of precious wood, forest floor, spices and pink pepper. On the palate, a very vibrant juiciness, savory and floral. The cashmere texture wraps the palate, caressing like a soft scarf around the neck, with a texture that is both silky and agile.

12 months of maturation in barrels (two-thirds new) for La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. The bouquet immediately signals depth. It is intense, subtle, inviting and fresh. On the palate, the wine convinces with the density it shows from the attack, complemented by a saline touch. Its creamy, perfectly integrated tannins deliver well-wrapped power aligned with a tension that is both incisive and refreshing. Greatness is perceptible; the wine paves the way for Ducru. A very fine success.

The nose is fruity, gourmand and precise, with a certain intensity and a lovely elongated, iodized character, indulgence and a fine creamy touch. It reveals notes of morello cherry, elegant roasted strawberry, and lighter hints of crushed red berries, chocolate/tonka bean and violet, as well as fine sparks of tonka bean and a delicately smoky hint. The palate is nicely guided, supple, pleasantly fresh, mineral and balanced, with a tangy backbone, suppleness, fine energy, depth and a lovely play on pleasant bitters. It shows notes of morello cherry, small red berries and, more slightly, rhubarb, combined with beautiful fresh floral touches, fine hints of infusion, as well as discreet nuances of cornflower, toastiness and a touch of cocoa. The tannins are toasted, finely mellow. Good length. A wine with a lovely texture, carrying a certain touch of elegant darkness. An almost blueberry and camphor note in the background. A hint of roasting on the finish/persistence. A lovely savory/saline edge.

94-96 Barrel sample. The wine is spicy with a smoky edge. Ripe tannins come through the dense toasty character, as well as the juicy, fresh aftertaste. It is an impressive, solid wine with considerable potential.