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.

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.

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.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2018 Le Petit Lion is blended of 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc, harvested from September 15 to October 4 with yields of 35.5 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has 14.47% alcohol and will be aged in barriques, 30% new. The finished blend was put into barrels last December. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives a wonderfully perfumed nose of violets, star anise and fragrant soil over a core of plum preserves, blackberry pie and blueberry compote plus a waft of spice cake. The palate is rich, seductive and spicy with plush, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and opulent. Love it!

James Suckling (95-96)

This is really beautiful with blackcurrants, spice, black olives and blueberries. Full-bodied with chewy tannins. It’s bright and focused. Excellent second wine from Las Cases. One of the best.

James Suckling (96-97)

This is very deep and rich with ripe tannins that take your down and through the palate. Full and layered. This is really plush and intense. Could be the best ever for the second wine. Goes deep.

Decanter (94)

Fragranced and scented, so appealing, rich, vibrant, alive on the nose, black and blue fruits with purple flowers. Juicy and alive in the mouth, straight away the acidity makes the mark, clean and clear, with bite and tang, so thrilling, energetic and racy but then the tannins come in, slightly chalky, grippy and firm giving the texture - serious but with a touch of sweetness that gives a playful aspect. Well constructed, precise but weighty, intense and concentrated. A great wine that gives depth, complexity and persistence but with such great drinkability - and grand vin quality.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very fresh and crunchy with blackberries, dark cherries and hints of crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied with impressive acidity and fine, silky tannins. Shows depth and structure, too. Bright and vivid on the finish. Lightly chunky. Second wine of Leoville Las Cases. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 8% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very fresh and crunchy with blackberries, dark cherries and hints of crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied with impressive acidity and fine, silky tannins. Shows depth and structure, too. Bright and vivid on the finish. Lightly chunky. Second wine of Leoville Las Cases. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 8% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94)

Aromas of smoke, bacon and ripe fruits, follow through to a full body, with lots of blackberries and bramble berries. Velvety tannins, with lovely intensity and balance. Gorgeous wine. Second wine of Mouton-Rothschild. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon. 22% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc.

James Suckling (95)

This is really exceptional with beautiful chocolate and blackberry character. It's full and velvety with gorgeous ripe tannins. Loving this. Wonderful richness and length.

James Suckling (92)

A rich and round red with currant, strawberry and citrus character. Full body, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. This shows much more richness and depth in bottle than from barrel. Excellent. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (93)

Gun metal, blackcurrants, stones and blueberries. Sweet tobacco, too. Full-bodied, firm and powerful. Very minerally. 93% cabernet. Needs three to four years to soften. Layered and beautiful. Second wine of Mouton.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The winner of the second wines in 2015 is unquestionably the 2015 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend that includes 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Ripe, full-bodied, opulent and incredibly satisfying, with loads of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencil and hints of tobacco, it has more depth and texture than most estate’s top wine.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

Falls slap bang exactly where you want it, and a true stepping stone, or upramp onto the 1st wine, love it. Creme caramel, campfire, cold ash, brambed blackberry and damson fruits, plentiful tannins laced with espresso and black chocolate with the grilled vanilla bean of new oak, measured and melted. Who wouldn't enjoy sinking into this? Philippe Dhalluin technical director.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

Falls slap bang exactly where you want it, and a true stepping stone, or upramp onto the 1st wine, love it. Creme caramel, campfire, cold ash, brambed blackberry and damson fruits, plentiful tannins laced with espresso and black chocolate with the grilled vanilla bean of new oak, measured and melted. Who wouldn't enjoy sinking into this? Philippe Dhalluin technical director.