Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou 2023

Perfumed and open on the nose with blueberries, blue cherries, really fruit-forward and almost opulent aromatics. Fragrant and scented. Quite tangy, a burst of just-ripe red berry fruit with a liquorice and clove grip, some clear blueberry juice. Straight and focused, not so juicy or plush but well constructed. High acidity. 89 IPT, pH 3.73. Ageing 12 months, 30% new oak.

72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Deep purple hue. Sweet, ripe and dominated by the Merlot. Round, spherical with lighter tannins. Freshness on the finish to balance that sweet impression. (JL)

The 2023 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou has come together so well with élevage. Dark-fleshed fruit, leather, gravel, incense, scorched earth and licorice convey a palpable feeling of gravitas. Today, the Petit Ducru is rather dark and almost somber in bearing.

Flowers, cherries, and a hint of cocoa in the perfume get the wine started. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, forward, fruity, round, and already easy to taste. Drink this in its youth for its fresh, racy fruits, or age it for its earthy complexities. You cannot go wrong either way. The wine blends 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2026-2037.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicate black forest berry notes, a hint of heart cherry, floral touch. Medium body, red cherry, somewhat broad, subtle tannins, a hint of sweetness on the finish, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure.

A blend of 62% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2023 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou brings another level of finesse as well as density. Cassis, graphite, violets, and floral notes all shine on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and outstanding length. Drink 2026-2038.

Delicately wrought bouquet with blueberry contours, cooling cassis and graphite. On the straight-lined palate, a finely firm texture, lively, well-supporting tension, and a tightly cut body. In the focused medium finish, blackcurrant, dark minerality, and fine-grained astringency.

Score: 91–93. Aromas of dark fruits and bramble contribute to a delicate bouquet that nonetheless has depth. The palate is denser, with notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, and intense minerality. Supple tannins add to a velvety texture before a delicious, mouthwatering saline finish.

So much clarity and precision in the bouquet of Petit Ducru, with notes of dark berries—blackberries in particular—enhanced by gentle spices. With good density, the wine shows smooth, well-integrated tannins. They provide appreciable vigor, yet remain clearly focused on elegance. They are supported by an acidic backbone that underpins the wine’s character and the freshness of the finish. A savory wine with both muscle and finesse!