Ducru Beaucaillou Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou St-Julien 2019

94 points James Suckling: "Such a beautiful red with currants, blackberries and some walnut and stone undertones. It’s medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a long finish. Hints of dried citrus. Drinkable now, but better in a year or two. (2/10/22)"

92 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(60% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot). This first vintage under the new name, a slightly traumatic change (for me at least!) from Château Lalande Borie because I was a big supporter of the previous incarnation. This remains largely grapes from a 25ha plot on west side of St Julien, together with young vines from the Ducru estate (hence no longer qualifying for the château designation). Having said that, the quality is still brilliant, and it offers a clear reason to choose this wine as an approachable St Julien before heading upwards to Madame de Beaucaillou. Black fruits smothered in liquorice, dark chocolate shavings, cocoa beans, espresso, cassis. It has a clear link to Ducru, you get the shot of sexiness, the feeling that you are being invited in to the party. 30% new oak for 12 months. Alcohol 14.2%. Drink: 2023-2034. (10/26/21)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is plush, creamy and open-knit, all of which give it considerable immediacy, not to mention tons of charm. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha and licorice lend nuance in this racy, Merlot-based blend. The Petit Ducru is a new wine meant to be the third selection from the château. Drink: 2025-2039. (Feb 2022)"

92 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou comes from 25 hectares on the western part of the appellation (10 hectares currently being re-planted) with declassified La Croix and Ducru Beaucaillou. It has a very focused bouquet of black fruit infused with graphite/pencil lead scents, a touch of brine emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture that belies a firm backbone. Quite stern at the moment – maybe it’s just closed up as the winter descends – but I admire its marine-tinged finish. Very fine. Drink: 2024-2038. (Feb 2022)"

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "A complete, spicy wine, full of acidity balanced by the tannic structure. The wine is dense, with a firm core. This is the junior wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Drink from 2025. Alcohol 13.5%. (Oct 2022)"

91 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The recently refashioned third wine of the estate represents what was once Château Lalande-Borie, with the addition of lesser wines from closer to the Gironde. The assemblage is 70% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot (a change since the primeurs, I note), the latter coming from vines near the village of Beychevelle, as the soils at Lalande-Borie are too sandy for this variety. It was aged in barrel, using 30% new oak. It has an approachably perfumed nose, smoky and polished, with bramble and blackcurrant fruits. It has more floral appeal than Madame de Beaucaillou (the estate’s Haut-Médoc), with white freesia and white peach, and some chalk dust top-notes. A fine ripeness to the fruits, immediately textured, as welcoming as the nose suggests, with ripe blackberries, black cherries, damson, tar, toast and smoke. It balances grip and flavour very well, around a fine central substance. This is a really smart wine which will benefit from the association with Ducru-Beaucaillou on the label. Lots of grip and length in the finish. The declared alcohol on the label is 14.5%, with 14.25% in the wine. (Dec 2021)"

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is also Merlot-dominated and includes 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers classic Saint-Julien elegance and purity in its darker currant and cherry fruits as well as notes of tobacco, violets, and lead pencil. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It needs air to show at its best and is just a charming, elegant, layered 2019 to enjoy over any time over the coming decade. Drink: 2022-2032. (4/11/22)."

91 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Medium-bodied, forward, elegant and already showing a nice Saint Julien character, the wine offers fresh, red currants, touches of tobacco leaf, cedar, and licorice. Soft in texture, with loads of sweet red berries in the finish, this is perfect for ordering in bistros and for drinking over the next 12-15 years. Drink from 2023-2032. (Mar 2022)"

90 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Notes of blackberries, plums, pencil shavings and violets introduce the 2019 Le Petit Ducru, a medium to full-bodied, velvety and sensual wine that's lively and concentrated, its ample core of fruit largely concealing an abundance of ripe, powdery tannin. It's a Merlot-based blend that includes declassified lots of La Croix and Ducru-Beaucaillou itself. Drink 2021-2037. (4/7/22)"