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! — 4 days ago

Devin Brown

8.9

The description: Chateau Pesquié Quintessence Rouge is a well-rounded blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes, grown in the scenic mountainside vineyards of Ventoux in the Rhone Valley. It boasts an intense ruby-red color and aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and spices, all of which are complemented by earthy and smoky undertones.

The opinion: Description accurate, but it needs a hunk of red meat or a rich duck sausage dish. It’s ok but better around for the value. — 3 months ago

Dmitri Abramov

8.9

Very nice Chateau! Get another case — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Merlot dominates this blend but there is some Cabernet Sauvignon and some Cabernet Franc blended in. Medium ruby color with a slight clear meniscus. Fruit forward aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, baking spices and cedar. Medium-plus finish. Medium body and very silky tannins. Well balanced/layered acidity and a very silky texture. A bit more austere than a traditional Medoc red blend. At peak. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Crimson with a cherry red tinge. A certain pong on the nose - a cowyard note but not off putting - I like it. On the medium bodied palate black fruits and sour cherry. Highly savoury on the palate. The cowyard notes remained throughout the 3 to 4 hour time frame to consume the bottle. I drink very few Loire Valley reds but on the basis of this wine I should drink more. — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.9

This is the Artemia Ventoux not the Quintessence….stellar southern Rhône, I can’t remember anything like this that’s not a CDP - deep dark inky color, sinus-clearing nose, palate is chewy, tannic but not overwhelming, I would have confused for a good cote rotie or rioja. Love it, can’t believe it’s a Ventoux. Actually started to get a bit earthy after being open awhile, I would *not* decant and just pop and drink! PJW says it’s all the vintage. Dunno. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2018 vintage. — 16 days ago

Anthony Ludwig

9.0

At a Maine restaurant — a month ago

Carolyn Sue

10

Delicious light and crisp — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Sergio nevarez — 2 months ago