Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou 2018

Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou, Saint Julien, Bordeaux, France, 2018 

The "third" wine of Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou

"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 colored, 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 flavors with soft tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift."

90/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2021

"Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Dark berry confit, liquorice, tobacco nuances, delicate herbal savoury layer underneath. Powerful, dark nougat, vivid tannins, taut and persistent, fruit extract finish, good ageing potential. Fine black forest berry confit, delicate fig and nougat, inviting bouquet. Juicy, sweet cherry fruit, discreet tannins, already accessible, some chocolate at the end, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure."

93/100 points, Falstaff, May 2019