Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou 2021

Floral and aromatic, expressive and perfumed with sweet blackcurrant touches. Cool blue fruits—blueberries, plums and damsons—this is slightly sombre, dark and heady, with a fresh minty-licorice and crushed-stone texture giving an appealing salinity. Satisfying weight on the palate, yet delicately presented with spiced nuances. Quite strict through the mid-palate, some tension coming through with energy and polish.

80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Rich and fleshy, the Merlot fully expressive yet structured at the same time, giving a serious edge. Early to medium-term drinking rather than for the long haul. (JL)

Medium-bodied with a core of tobacco, citrus, currants, flowers, and red plums. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, forward, and light on its feet with a crisp, chewy, red plum and red currant, dusty finish. Drink from 2024-2034.

Dark ruby, purple shades to the narrow rim. A touch of nougat, ripe cherries, notes of plum, cassis and herbs. Taut, red-berry fruit, integrated tannins, salty-mineral finish with good length. Already accessible, vibrant style. Was previously called Château Lalande-Borie.

The deeply hued 2021 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou (which got some choice lots of Merlot in 2021) is classy stuff, with red and black currants, sappy flowers, medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a supple, layered, elegant profile that has plenty to love.

(80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 13% vol. alcohol) Floral, slender, delicately green bouquet, red berries, fresh herbs. Firm, fine, light palate with sweet fruit, slender structure, finely sandy tannins, good aromatics, light finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2027 - 2038

A blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot, Le Petit Ducru 2021 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It jumps from the glass with notes of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly, plus suggestions of dried Provence herbs and damp soil. The light-bodied palate has a racy line and lightly chewy tannins supporting the delicate, youthful red and black fruits, finishing with an herbal lift.

The finesse and subtlety signaled by the bouquet promise a wine of very high quality. This is fully confirmed on the attack, which is indeed more streamlined than usual, yet no less precise and elegant. With fine-grained tannins, Le Petit Ducru sets the tone, but it still needs a little time to open up. A short spell in the cellar will be beneficial. A wine that will delight many palates, even in its youth.

The 2021 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou seems to build on that Pauillac element that I noted from barrel. The nose is finely delineated with a lovely marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, crunchy black fruit and plenty of iodine and brine, exerting a gentle but insistent grip on the saline finish that comes from the top Merlots in the blend.

There is a high percentage of Merlot in this blend, giving softness with ripe blackberry fruits and a succulent character. The wine is pure black fruits and fresh acidity. Drink from 2027.