Croix de Ducru-Beaucaillou 2024

The 2024 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou matured in two-thirds new oak this year, the usual percentage. It has a precise bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and background slate-like aromas. This is finely focused, though more understated than recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied and quite peppery, with grainy tannins, gentle grip and a slightly stony finish. This is a more linear and classically styled Deuxième Vin that will deserve two or three years in bottle. Drinking window: 2029-2049. (Neal Martin,vinous.com)