Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St Julien 1855 2ième Cru 2021

Still in barrel at the time of tasting (bottling due in August 2023), showing a seductive smoked cedar, soot and campfire chararater, layers of sculpted dark fruits, and rose petal aromatics, this is well structured, softens in the mid palate to reveal creamy blackberry and raspberry fruit, with savoury salted cracker. Unquestionably one of the wines to go to within a challenging vintage, really stands out. Harvest September 23 to October 11. 100% new oak. A tiny crop, below 20hl/h, which accounts for the high percentage of Cabernet. Emmanuel Bonneau technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.