Yoly Sardinas

9.1

At Frenchies ., 2016 is really good, well balanced and smooth. — 2 months ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Last night we opened the 2018 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou. Saint-Julien from the Left Bank Bordeaux. This was previously known as Laland-Borie.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, nlack currant, mocha, violets, black licorice and earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, cedar, herbaceous notes, spice, black pepper, graphite and earth.

This wine is full bodied with medium + mouthwatering acidity and medium + crunchy mouthcoating tannins the move instantly into a long black fruit gravelly soil finish. I hope everyone is having a great weekend enjoying some fine wines. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

The 'Nicole Kidman vintage' according to Bruno Borie. The reputation here with grape selection is evident; its tightly wound but really no hard edges. The new oak aromatics pervade for atleast the 1st hour, but it's sort of regal rather than gaudy. Firm black fruits, medium body, and some incense and leather on the finish. Silky tannins, lots of finesse for a young Cabernet dominant blend. — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou – 2021
AOC Saint-Julien – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
The second wine of the famed 2nd Growth Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, crafted under the stewardship of the Borie family. The 2021 vintage carries the estate’s signature terroir of deep gravel soils (“beaux cailloux” meaning “beautiful stones”), producing wines with elegance, depth, and longevity. Typical blend leans on Cabernet Sauvignon 64%, Merlot 32% and Petit Verdot 4% for a compelling profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum layered with graphite, tobacco, and cedar. Secondary notes of violets, cocoa powder, and subtle spice add depth and intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannic backbone with a silky texture emerging mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied, offering precision and finesse over sheer power. Fresh acidity frames the fruit, finishing long with mineral-driven elegance.

Food Pairings
Ribeye steak, venison, or duck confit, gourmet burgers, grilled portobello mushrooms, or truffle pizza. Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or sharp Cheddar.

Verdict
A true Saint-Julien expression, structured yet polished, approachable in youth but built to evolve. This second wine offers a taste of Ducru’s pedigree without the grand vin price tag.

Did You Know?
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou earned its name from the large “beautiful stones” (cailloux) that dominate the vineyard’s gravel soils, perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in heat-retentive terroir.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For lovers of Left Bank Bordeaux, this is a perfect introduction to Ducru’s magic, refined, powerful, and unmistakably Saint-Julien at a very affordable price point. Cheers! — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.8

Managed by Jean Eugène Borie SA, & her daughter Sabine Coiffe & her son Bruno-Eugène, the 3rd generation of the Borie family to head estate, with close links among the 5 families of successive owners. A blend of 95% Cab Sauv & 5% Merlot, in 100% new French oak, aromas of ripe black fruits with espresso & smoky herb notes. On the palate currants & blackberry with pepper, cigar and oak. Fine soft tannins, perfect acidity balance, lingering ending with an earthy mineral character. Wow! This needs a few years. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2019 vintage. This seems to be a new wine by Saint-Julien cru classé Ducru-Beaucaillou, but not a word about this wine on their website. They do own 16 hectares of vineyards in Cussac, Haut-Médoc that were part of the vineyards at the time of the 1855 classification and therefore may be used for Ducru-Beaucaillou or Lalande-Borie, or can be used for a Haut-Medoc. To further complicate matters, this wine was bottled in Listrac, where they own Fourcas-Borie. Anyway, wherever the grapes come from, this is a very solid Haut-Médoc. According to a négiocant website it is a blend of 68% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged 12 months in barriques (20% new). Dark red with purplish rim. Black and red fruits, violeta, dark chocolate and a subtle smokey oak touch. A medium-bodied, elegant wine with impeccable balance and very good length. Very good value too at less than 20 euros .Abv. 14%. — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.2

Just needed time, both in storage and decant. Better on the 2nd day
Some historical stuff I found online,

The Chateau Caronne Ste. Gemme property has been making wine since the French Revolution and has existed since the mid 1600's. Now in the hands of the Nony family, who is related to the Borie family of multi-chateau fame, the estate is in excellent hands.
The vines average about thirty years of age and are located in the southwest corner of Saint Julien. The grapes are fermented in cement vats where they also undergo malolactic fermentation. From there they're aged in one third new French oak for one year before bottling. — 4 years ago