Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou 2018

94 ponts Jeb Dunnuck: "The second wine of this great domaine is the 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, this ripe, opulent beauty boasts a dense purple color to go with a sexy, full-bodied style showing loads of blackcurrants, cassis, spice, candied violet, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors. Plush, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, this is one big, sumptuous Saint-Julien that's going to evolve for 15-20 years or more. Drink: 2021-2041. (3/11/21)"

94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Cabernet Sauvignon's savoury black fruit flavours dominate on the attack, along with a swirl of spice. Small berries meant great concentration, and the vintage saw a full 130 days between flowering and harvest (compared, for example , with 115 days in 2005). Rich in expression of fruit, with complexity and a lovely slate character along with charcoal, liquorice and campfire. This is a lovely glass of polished St-Julien. Harvest from 19 September to 10 October. 66% new oak. IPT tannin index 90. Drinking Window: 2023-2038. (11/10/20)"

94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant with violet and lavender, following through to a full body with very fine tannins and a creamy, beautifully caressing texture. Like the chocolate, walnut and berry aftertaste. Second wine of Ducru. Drink after 2025. (1/18/21)"

94 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "Not the second wine, of course, but from an inland slice of the Borie vineyards comparable to Talbot and Lagrange in terms of position. There are between 35 and 40 hectares (of the 105-hectare total) which are dedicated to this cuvée. Even a little further inland Cabernet Sauvignon still dominates, at 62% of the total blend, and new oak still rules, at 60% of the total. The dominant variety seems to show on the nose which is rich in black bean and black olive notes, over grilled black cherry, with fresher elements of mint and fragrant tarragon. There is no shortage of texture, sinew or structure on the palate, the tannins ripe but broad and prominent. It is an impressive and rather imposing style, and I don’t feel the 15% alcohol here (yes, really) detracts from the style. Whether that will be true five, ten or fifteen years from now remains to be seen. (Feb 2021)"

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$75 list] Richly juicy and intense, this wine is massive, with concentrated tannins and dusty texture. The wine has weight and density but is also impressively fresh with acidity. It's a successful combination for this second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Drink from 2027. (May 2021)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Just as it was en primeur, the 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is rich, sensual and enveloping. Silky tannins wrap around a core of blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather. All the elements are so well balanced in this sumptuous, racy Saint-Julien. A warm growing season yielded small berries and heady, concentrated flavors. This is such a gorgeous wine. The blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink: 2025-2038. (Mar 2021)"

93 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet ochre lightening on the rim. Attractive bouquet with hints of nougat and ripe fig, dark berry fruit, delicate sweetness and fine wood savouriness. Juicy palate, red cherry fruit, fine, well integrated tannins, but with some noticeable tannin on the finish. Already well developed and a versatile food wine. (2/14/21)"