2016 La Croix de Beaucaillou Cuvee Colbert

The Cuvée Colbert is a special rendition of Ducru-Beaucaillou’s La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou, aged exclusively in a large 45-hectolitre oak foudre. The oak was specially sourced from the Colbert forest, in Tronçais, recognised as the finest oak in France. The 2016 vintage is deeply coloured with expressive aromatics of dark fruit – dark cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant – and ripe, rich, dark chocolate notes. The more forward fruit tones are backed by a graphite minerality and lightly austere tannin structure adding depth. The wine manages to combine both elegance and opulence, with an impressive contrast between ripeness and fresh fruit clarity. The tannin structure is a bit bigger than the 2015, increasing the depth of the finish. It has very good length, and a moreish quality with the mineral notes making it mouthwatering. This will be approachable within a year or two and should drink well for another 15.”. Just 6,000 bottles are produced each year.