2015 La Croix de Beaucaillou

The 2015 Croix de Beaucaillou is decidedly powerful and dense, but it is also quite monolithic today. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 acquires more finesse in bottle. The lovely fruit that came through in the barrel samples is presently covered by coarse tannins.

The 2015 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou comes from a dedicated site in the southern part of the estate and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc brought up in two-thirds new oak. It’s a polished, elegant, medium-bodied beauty revealing classic Ducru-Beaucaillou notes of cassis, tobacco and lead pencil. It has real class and poise, and while already approachable, I suspect will have two decades of longevity.

52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. IPT 70. From a terroir near Léoville Barton on a southern flank of a stream. Small clusters. 40 hl/ha. Two-thirds new oak. 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. (JR)