2022 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou

Ripe black cherries, spicy wood, flowers, and graphite notes all emerge from the 2022 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou, a medium-bodied, silky, elegant, and remarkably pure 2022 that has no hard edges, fine tannins, and a great finish. It brings a touch more finesse and elegance compared to the Madame de Beaucaillou and has a real Saint-Julien character.

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou has an open bouquet with touches of chalk infusing the black fruit. Aeration uncovers more red fruit tones with hints of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with quite strict tannins, a clear level up from the "Madame" cuvée. It has more precision and tension emanating from the finish. This is very fine.

Good structure and concentration without being too much, this is an excellent Petit Ducru that is easy to recommend. Cocoa bean and damson, attractive fennel spice, a note I am finding a lot in 2022, reflection of the intensity and small berries, where bitterness replaces acidity in many cases for the balance of the wine.