La Croix de Beaucaillou
ラ・クロワ・ド・ボーカイユ
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Cabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Petit Verdot
About this wine
La Croix de Beaucaillou is the prestigious second wine of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, the renowned Second Growth estate in Saint-Julien. Sourced from specific parcels within the estate and from younger vines, this wine is crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as the Grand Vin. It typically features a higher proportion of Merlot compared to the Grand Vin, resulting in a more approachable, supple, and fruit-forward profile in its youth while retaining the signature Saint-Julien elegance and minerality. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, balancing power with finesse. It offers a quintessential Saint-Julien expression characterized by dark fruit, graphite, and refined tannins — the perfect gateway to the world of Ducru-Beaucaillou.
La Croix de Beaucaillou is the ideal introduction to Saint-Julien's elegance and the house style of Ducru-Beaucaillou. More approachable in youth than the Grand Vin, it still delivers genuine complexity and terroir character without requiring decades of patience.
Sommelier's Note
"La Croix de Beaucaillou is the most elegant second wine in Saint-Julien — it carries the DNA of a 100-point estate and drinks beautifully far earlier than its parent."
Food Pairings
Pairs exceptionally well with roasted lamb, grilled beef tenderloin, duck breast, and aged cheeses. Its structured yet supple tannins also harmonize beautifully with umami-rich Japanese dishes such as Wagyu beef steak, sukiyaki, mushroom-based dishes (matsutake dobinmushi, mushroom takikomi gohan), and soy-glazed duck.
When to drink it
Perfect for sophisticated dinner parties, anniversary celebrations, a wine lover's special gift, or as a stepping stone before graduating to the Grand Vin. Impressive without being intimidating.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥8,000–12,000 per bottle
Terroir & Winemaking
Produced from selected younger-vine parcels of the Ducru-Beaucaillou estate. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, followed by aging in French oak barrels (typically 40–60% new oak) for approximately 12 months. The higher Merlot proportion compared to the Grand Vin provides immediate charm and textural softness while preserving the appellation's characteristic structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does La Croix de Beaucaillou taste like?
- It offers rich notes of blackcurrant, plum, and violet, supported by silky tannins and a distinctive mineral, graphite finish that is quintessentially Saint-Julien.
- How does it differ from the Grand Vin?
- La Croix de Beaucaillou comes from younger vines and selected parcels with a slightly higher Merlot proportion. It is more approachable in youth and drinks well 5–12 years after the vintage, while the Grand Vin demands 10–15+ years.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Red meats, roasted lamb, game, and umami-rich Japanese dishes such as Wagyu beef or mushroom-based preparations. Its balanced structure works beautifully with dishes that have both richness and earthiness.
- When is the best time to drink it?
- It is approachable upon release but reaches its peak maturity between 5 to 12 years after the vintage.
- Is it connected to Château Ducru-Beaucaillou?
- Yes — it is the official second wine of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, a Second Growth (2ème Grand Cru Classé) in Saint-Julien, produced by the Borie family.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier