Castle Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Inky ruby.  Laid-back aromas of dark berries, black cherry and herbs, with a subtle note of violet.  Clean and bright in the mouth, with taut blackcurrant and dark cherry flavors picking up sweetness with air.  The flinty black cherry note repeats on the finish, which features a subtle floral pastille quality and very good persistence.  I like this wine's understated character, but I wish it had a little more flesh and sweetness for an even higher score.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

92+
The 2011 Ducru Beaucaillou (which normally represents 1/3 to ½ of the entire crop) possesses a dense ruby/purple color along with a beautiful nose of sweet creme de cassis, crushed rock and spring flower aromas. This rich, medium to full-bodied St.-Julien is among the most concentrated wines of the Medoc. Moderate tannin is sweet and well-integrated. This beauty will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2014

This is rather well-endowed for the vintage, with thickly layered ganache, currant paste, fig sauce and blackberry confiture notes still grappling with one another, while briary grip and dark spice fill out the toast-fueled finish. Very long, showing a level of power that belies the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2028.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

This shows excellent aromas of crushed berries, minerals and roses. Full body with silky, balanced tannins. Fruity and reserved. Shows wonderful finesse for the Médoc in 2011. Better after 2018.      

La Revue du Vin de France

17-17,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

Le château impose sa classe et son élégance, avec une magnifique extraction de la matière qui exprime un délicat fruité, un toucher de tanins ultra soyeux. Un des vins les plus raffinés du millésime. Bravo!

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fruits rouges, bouche fraîche élégante, tonique, fruit frais, élégant, friand, tendu, sérieux, très beau fruit. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

(85% cabernet sauvignon and 15% merlot; 25 h/h): Opaque purple-ruby. Intense, perfumed nose combines blackberry, fresh herbs and coffee liqueur. Sweet and suave in the mouth, showcasing pure flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant. Finishes quite long, with lovely mineral tang, a note of blackberry syrup and peppery, youthfully chewy tannins.

Decanter.com

18 / 20

the4/30/2012

Strikingly floral Cabernet ripeness, finesse and purity, lovely texture, beautifully expressive almost Margaux style, total opposite to Las Cases. Drink 2017-2030.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

One of the vintage’s stars, the 2011 Ducru Beaucaillou is a riveting blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of creme de cassis, licorice, subtle wood smoke and spring flowers, a surprising, full-bodied mouthfeel, and stunning intensity, purity, symmetry and length. Production at this estate used to be 12,000-15,000 cases, but after instituting a strict selection in addition to the smallest yields ever at this vineyard, it is down to 9,000 cases. The 2011 has considerable tannin, but it is soft and well-integrated. It should drink well for 20+ years. Readers should also be aware of just how sensational the second wine can be. If you haven’t noticed yet, it’s time to jump on Bruno Borie’s bandwagon for the two wines being produced from separate parts of the Ducru Beaucaillou vineyard.

TAST

18-18,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Couleur intense, nez classique avec ses notes de graphite et de cèdre, densité remarquable de matière, tanin parfaitement civilisé mais ferme, grand avenir, vin magnifique!

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. Nur 20 hl/ha Ertrag. Royales Bouquet, reife Fruchtnoten, Holundertouch, Alpenkräuter, ein Hauch Minze, wirkt konzentriert, wunderschöne Cabernet-Sauvignon-Expression mit vielen Facetten. Sublimer Gaumen, sehr geschmeidig, gebündelte Tannine, und die Säure ist bereits perfekt integriert. Leigt bei der Spitze der Appellation. Schon das Verkosten des Fassmusters war bewegend. 2020-2055

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The Grand Vin is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that is being aged in 95% new oak. It has a broody, introspective bouquet compared to the 2009 and 2010 as one would expect, although it is well defined with fine minerality, a seam of dried herbs, a touch of rosemary and thyme underneath a patina of black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh, citric entry. There is a slight hardness to the tannins although that will soften in time, although it is still struck through with a tensile streak. The finish has a firm tannic backbone, hints of soy and a saline touch towards the finish. This is an intriguing Ducru that should repay extended cellaring. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

Produced from a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, which reached 13.10% alcohol, the wine will be aged in 95% new oak for 18 months. With the lowest yields in 25 years, production will be close to 25% less than in the previous vintage. Deep ruby in color, with purple accents around the rim, blackberry, truffle, tobacco, earth, cassis, smoke, licorice and black cherry scents are found with little effort. Plush, ripe, silky tannins and a fresh, ripe blackberry, black cherry and spicy plum finish are the hallmarks of this wine. 93 – 95 Pts

Asian Palate

92-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

This is a very attractive wine with a perfumed nose of violets, blackberries, spices and a palate that reveals complex layers of flavours. Yield at Ducru in 2011 was only 25 hl/ha, very low by any standard. A full bodied, dense wine that shows the elevated, plush tannins of this vintage but with freshness and nice depth. Very long length. This wine will age beautifully.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/18/2012

Drink 2018-2032
Smallest Ducru harvest in the last 25 years, with 25% of the fruit that appeared in April/May eliminated. A vintage Bruno Borie likens to Nicole Kidman (cf Beyoncé in 2009). 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. 95% new oak. pH 3.6. Deep dark cherry crimson. Seductive fruit on the nose. Warm and dry and the tannins have great finesse and zero dryness. Puts the many dry Margaux tasted this morning into perspective. Dense but really supple and has a juicy flourish on the finish. Long. And very pure cassis through the middle. (JH) 13.1%

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

This wine is big, dense and impressive with plenty of concentration as well as acidity. It is balanced, bringing the big, ripe black-fruit flavor and firm tannins together with great style. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Fabulous aromas of blackberries, plums, meat and rose petals. Full body, with special richness for the vintage with a sweetness not seen in many wines. Velvety tannins that are polished and beautiful. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Little more Merlot than normal.