2018, Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, SAINT-JULIEN

The 2018 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, to give it its full name, was still "Lalande-Borie" when I tasted it from barrel. Aged for 12 months in 30% new oak, it has a pretty bouquet, less precocious than I remarked back then, with brambly black fruit, crushed rock and a light wilted iris scent. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, the oak now nicely entwined, whereas before I thought that it might take 3–4 years to fully integrate. There is ample ripeness, though this remains classic in style, possessing fine delineation and just the right amount of sapidity to urge you back for another sip. 90 Neal Martin, Vinous (2021).

A newcomer to the Ducru-Beaucaillou stable, Le Petit Ducru wine was formerly called Lalande-Borie. It is essentially a third wine, coming from part of the vineyard of Ducru-Beaucaillou. The 2018 Le Petit Ducru is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged for 12 months in barrel, in one-third new oak. It has an alcohol of 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it leaps from the glass with wonderfully pure scents of black and red currants, black raspberries and mulberries plus suggestions of tobacco leaf, bay leaves and fertile loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling juicy black fruits flavours with soft tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. 90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2021).

Attractive, bright and bristling fruit, from grapes that were small and concentrated after a particularly dry summer in St-Julien, with rain at the right time in September. Things have been well-handled over ageing and this is rippling with life and succulent acidity. Previously known as Lalande-Borie. A yield of 35hl/ha. 91 Jane Anson, Decanter (2020).

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038