Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou Le Petit Ducru 2020

Wine Advocate: 90
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.

Decanter: 93
Gorgeous milk chocolate on the perfumed nose which also shows roses and blackcurrants. Supple and agile, this flows nicely in the mouth. Grainy texture, the flavours of medicinal herbs, anise, clove, a touch of liquorice with dark bramble fruits spread out across the mouth with a little bitterness on the cheeks and tongue, but good density and focus and I love the powdery tannins. Juicy, precise and focused. A nice effort with good overall freshness. I like the comforting, texture. A blend of 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. Aged 12 months, 30% new oak.

Decanter: 93

Gorgeous milk chocolate on the perfumed nose which also shows roses and blackcurrants. Supple and agile, this flows nicely in the mouth. Grainy texture, the flavours of medicinal herbs, anise, clove, a touch of liquorice with dark bramble fruits spread out across the mouth with a little bitterness on the cheeks and tongue, but good density and focus and I love the powdery tannins. Juicy, precise and focused. A nice effort with good overall freshness. I like the comforting, texture. A blend of 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. Aged 12 months, 30% new oak.

Vinous: 92
The 2020 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 30% new oak for 12 months, is delineated on the nose with blackberry, wild hedgerow and a discrete marine/estuarine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and well judged acidity. It displays some "rondeur" towards the finish that suggests it will drink well after just a couple of years, yet there is certainly the substance to guarantee it will age well in the cellar, if you are that way inclined.

Vinous: 92

The 2020 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 30% new oak for 12 months, is delineated on the nose with blackberry, wild hedgerow and a discrete marine/estuarine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and well judged acidity. It displays some "rondeur" towards the finish that suggests it will drink well after just a couple of years, yet there is certainly the substance to guarantee it will age well in the cellar, if you are that way inclined.

James Suckling: 93
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.

Jeb Dunnuck: 91
What can be thought of as the third wine of the château, the 2020 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is mostly Merlot yet includes 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It's a legit wine and has classic aromatics of cassis, darker berries, violets, and a kiss of minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied style on the palate. Ripe, concentrated, and balanced, this terrific wine can be enjoyed any time over the coming 10-12 years (and I have no doubt it will keep even longer).

Jeb Dunnuck: 91

What can be thought of as the third wine of the château, the 2020 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is mostly Merlot yet includes 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It's a legit wine and has classic aromatics of cassis, darker berries, violets, and a kiss of minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied style on the palate. Ripe, concentrated, and balanced, this terrific wine can be enjoyed any time over the coming 10-12 years (and I have no doubt it will keep even longer).