critic reviews
Love the intensity and depth of this wine, fragrant and full of spice, graphite, crayon, blackberry, so good. Pretty opulent on the aromatics but there is real forward motion on the palate. 30% new oak for ageing. This is a single point upscore.
The 2023 Le Petit Ducru is deep garnet-purple in color. It springs from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh plums, boysenberries, and black raspberries leading to hints of menthol, cinnamon stick, and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is soft textured, delivering refreshingly crunchy black fruits with great tension and a red berry lift on the finish. The blend is 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. This has morphed into a third wine of Ducru Beaucaillou, made from younger vines and declassified fruit.
The 2023 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou has a seductive bouquet with pure red fruit, incense and light cedar scents, just a slight minty element emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit and fine structure. There’s a dash of black pepper and more fruit concentration on the finish than the Madame de Beaucaillou. Very promising.