critic reviews
Intense, chewy, juicy, great quality, really sets out the stall for the Ducru house, where this is delivering clear above-average quality. Harvest September 8 to October 3, 20% new oak. Vines from Listrac (35ha), Moulis (3ha) and Haut-Médoc (10ha) as of the 2020 vintage.
The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It zips out of the glass with sparky notes of juicy raspberries and wild strawberries with underlying suggestions of cloves, roses, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with youthful red berry flavors and a lightly chewy texture, finishing with a touch of herbal zing. The blend is 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot.
The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou has a delightful bouquet with brambly red fruit, rose petals and cedar. Less Petit Verdot in the blend means it is less floral than the 2022. The palate is grippy and quite peppery on the entry—a little angular at the moment, but barrel-maturation will smooth the edges. That cracked black pepper element reappears toward the finish that needs more persistency. Give it three to four years in bottle if you can.