Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2022 Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval Blanc comes from vines just across the road from the château and is 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon brought up in a mix of demi-muids and foudre for 20 months. Green citrus, crushed mint, and citrus rind define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a vibrant, layered, yet racy mouthfeel, beautiful balance, and a great finish.

James Suckling (92)

Currants and dark fruits with hints of licorice. Full and silky with ripe tannins and berry. Cigar tobacco and berry. Sweet tobacco. This is a wine that shows serious depth of fruit and refined tannins. Better in 2016.

James Suckling (91-92)

A solid red with dark berry and wet earth aromas and flavor. Full body, chewy tannins yet polished and balanced. Serious concentration for the vintage for this estate.

Decanter (94)

Inky in colour and with intense cassis flavours joined by olive paste notes, this has a gorgeous, balanced feel. It needs to be carafed for an hour or two if you are looking to drink it soon, although the tannins are already silky and the concentration on display is pretty seductive. Great stuff, with a menthol blast on the finish, just brilliant value for money. It stands out among the Lalande-Borie vintages and this has got to be the best buy of the lineup.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

Bruno Borie's Merlot-based Saint-Julien Lalande-Borie is plump, juicy and inviting in 2017. Inky dark blue and purplish berry fruit, spice, licorice, menthol and chocolate are all pushed forward in an easygoing, racy Saint-Julien that will drink well right out of the gate. The 2017 spent 12 months in French oak, 40% of which was new. This is very nicely done and delicious.

Jeb Dunnuck (91-94)

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Lalande-Borie knocks it out of the park in the vintage and has a brilliant, full-bodied style as well as sexy notes of cassis, blueberries, violets, and spice box. With terrific ripeness, notable purity, and a balanced, layered texture, it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet keep for two decades. It appears to be the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted.

James Suckling (92-93)

This is really well done with focus and precision, showing blackcurrant and blueberry character. Hints of stones. Medium-to full-bodied and linear with a fine-textured finish.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

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.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

The deeply hued 2021 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou (which got some choice lots of Merlot in 2021) is classy stuff, with red and black currants, sappy flowers, medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and a supple, layered, elegant profile that has plenty to love.

Discover the exquisite Le Petit Ducru 2022, a paramount embodiment of French sophistication. From the acclaimed Bordeaux region, Le Petit Ducru 2022 is the second wine of prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Holding a longstanding reputation for creating exceptional Bordeaux blends, the estate brings together finesse and intensity in the Petit Ducru. Produced under the expert guidance of winemaker Bruno-Eugène Borie, this claret is a masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, raising the bar for refinement and complexity.

This complex vintage boasts earthy undertones, mingling with vibrant black fruit notes, highlighting its superb balance and structure. Grown in Günz gravels, these vineyards' distinctive terroir imparts richness and depth to the wine, while ageing in French oak barrels lends subtle hints of spice and vanilla. Le Petit Ducru 2022 mirrors the meticulous crafting that defines Ducru-Beaucaillou's esteemed heritage, marking a splendid addition to any cellar.

Discover the exquisite Le Petit Ducru 2022, a paramount embodiment of French sophistication. From the acclaimed Bordeaux region, Le Petit Ducru 2022 is the second wine of prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Holding a longstanding reputation for creating exceptional Bordeaux blends, the estate brings together finesse and intensity in the Petit Ducru. Produced under the expert guidance of winemaker Bruno-Eugène Borie, this claret is a masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, raising the bar for refinement and complexity.

This complex vintage boasts earthy undertones, mingling with vibrant black fruit notes, highlighting its superb balance and structure. Grown in Günz gravels, these vineyards' distinctive terroir imparts richness and depth to the wine, while ageing in French oak barrels lends subtle hints of spice and vanilla. Le Petit Ducru 2022 mirrors the meticulous crafting that defines Ducru-Beaucaillou's esteemed heritage, marking a splendid addition to any cellar.

Discover the exquisite Le Petit Ducru 2022, a paramount embodiment of French sophistication. From the acclaimed Bordeaux region, Le Petit Ducru 2022 is the second wine of prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Holding a longstanding reputation for creating exceptional Bordeaux blends, the estate brings together finesse and intensity in the Petit Ducru. Produced under the expert guidance of winemaker Bruno-Eugène Borie, this claret is a masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, raising the bar for refinement and complexity.

This complex vintage boasts earthy undertones, mingling with vibrant black fruit notes, highlighting its superb balance and structure. Grown in Günz gravels, these vineyards' distinctive terroir imparts richness and depth to the wine, while ageing in French oak barrels lends subtle hints of spice and vanilla. Le Petit Ducru 2022 mirrors the meticulous crafting that defines Ducru-Beaucaillou's esteemed heritage, marking a splendid addition to any cellar.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. A powerful, deep wine, the 2018 possesses terrific energy as well as a good deal of Cabernet savoriness. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years as it is tightly wound today. Black cherry, blackberry jam, cloves, licorice and chocolate give this imposing red a real feeling of somber intensity.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

Attractively ripe, this second wine from Château Léoville las Cases is initially fruity. The structure comes through only slowly to reveal itself.The wine is ripe yet shot through with acidity. Likely to develop quickly.