Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou 2020

Aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and fresh flowers follow through to a medium body, with juicy and round tannins that show a delicious intensity. Currants and berries. Fresh and focused. 78% merlot and 18% cabernet, the rest petit verdot. Drink after 2026.

The wine formerly known as Lalande-Borie. It has a supple texture right off the bat, just enough pencil lead, mocha, blackberries and savoury bilberry fruits to show a St-Julien signature. It has the dominant tannins of the vintage, but they are softened, this is plush through the mid palate with clear tightening on the finish. 30% new oak 3.68pH. A yield of 25hl/ha. Second vintage under this name and it remains a compelling choice in the appellation. Drinking Window 2024-2034.

A more Merlot-dominated wine from a handful of vineyards in Saint-Julien, the 2020 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou checks in as 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the remaining 4% Petit Verdot. Brought up in 30% new French oak, it has classic Saint-Julien cassis and darker berry fruits as well as beautiful tobacco, earth, and chocolate nuances, with classy background oak. It brings another level of purity, precision, and length and is a beautiful, classic Saint-Julien. While it's mostly Merlot, it has a very classic Saint-Julien style. It's billed as the third wine of the domaine, but it matches plenty of the estate's second wines.

The 2020 Le Petit Ducru offers up aromas of sweet plums, cassis, raw cocoa, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish.