95pts Jeb Dunnuck

The second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou, the 2019 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 60% new French oak. Tasting more like a grand vin than a second wine, its deep purple hue gives way to a deep, rich, beautifully concentrated, full-bodied Saint-Julien with awesome purity of fruit, lots of graphite, chocolate, and crushed stone, building tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need 5-7 years of bottle age to hit maturity and is going to keep for two decades. It's a serious bottle of wine.

94pts Decanter

Deep damson colour and mouthfilling from the start, this expands outwards through the palate, filling up with concentrated yet plush berry fruits, notes of smoked oak, hazelnut, grilled liquorice. A real presence, approaches the 2016 but with more evident approachability. Appealing now but sure that it will close down pretty tightly for a while as this has a high tannin count of 88IPT.

94pts Vinous

The 2019 La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou is matured for 12 months in 60% new oak. Interestingly, that Earl Grey tincture continues to define this very classically styled wine, enhancing the black fruit. Hints of ash emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and plenty of graphite-infused black fruit that render this quite Pauillac in style. Impressively persistent on the tobacco-tinged finish. Leave this for 4–5 years in bottle just to smooth its edges.