Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

Well super highly rated. Quite fruit driven and juicy. Easily drink now. Hard to pin down / i am a a pinot guy after all. Could age for 15 years or so but would not keep it too long. — 4 days ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.0

Everything you wish for in a very-day Bordeaux.
Black currants, a touch of cedar wood, a bit of gravel and a pinch of spice.
And this ‘16 is singing right now with perfectly mellow tannins, still quite a bit of fruit but the depth of flavors is already shifting. Precise, juicy, on the lighter vs fuller side. So drinkable. Delish! — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

In typical Calon-Segur fashion, still kinda of a baby. Nice evolution but plenty of life left in this warm vintage Calon-Segur. — 24 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Surprised how well this was showing with its polished mouthfeel with mostly black fruit, graphite, leather, earth, subtle spice & tobacco. From a case purchased on release — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby red color with aromas of sweet red berry fruits, floral and cedar spice. On the palate flavors of black fruits, cacao, tobacco and herb notes. Lively acidity, fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cacao, leather and earthy oak. Nice now! — 14 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

For me, this is perfectly aged. Still some nice fruit, but loads of clay-like minerality and cedar in the nose. Soft and palate-coating but with nice balance, the tannins are still present but are not obtrusive. Really long, clingy finish. Really fine. — 23 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Good Château Canon Croix Canon Saint Emilion 18 @8800, Pieroth, 251117 — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed from red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. This bottle of the 1966 came to party! The wine pours a garnet color with a near translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and loads sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of black and red currants, Montmorency cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, pencil shavings, old leather bound books, espresso, loads of organic and inorganic earth, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a fantastic performance by the ‘66. Drink now though similarly stored examples won’t be falling off a cliff anytime soon. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2023 vintage. The blends can vary dramatically at this estate. In this vintage it is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Refined and elegant, with impeccable balance and refined tannins. Another winner from this extremely reliable estate. Incredible value too. Abv. 13%. — 15 days 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! — a month ago