Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou 2022 750ml

The fine tannins come through clearly here with black berries and hints of lavender. Medium-bodied with really fine tannins. Medium finish. A blend 75% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and rest petit verdot.

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou, which included declassified lots of the First and Second wine, has a svelte bouquet with plush red cherries, raspberry coulis, tobacco and light floral scents. The 43% new oak is neatly enmeshed. The palate is fresh and structured on the entry. This is quite Pauillac-like in style, thanks to the graphite element. It's taut and linear before fanning out toward the finish. (NM)

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru has turned out especially well this year, offering up aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with tobacco leaf and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and fleshy palate that's unusually supple and polished.