Château Ducru Beaucaillou - Saint-Julien 2001

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/30/2011

The 2001 Ducru is showing very well, better than I expected given its performances a few years ago. Here, it has a warm, rounded, almost sensual bouquet with black fruits, bay leaf and cedar – certainly more generous and expressive than the 2000 but without the same level of complexity or delineation. The palate is just entertaining the notion of secondary flavours with some intriguing gamey notes infusing the dark black fruit with the finish seasoned by the Cabernet Franc. This should drink well over the next decade. Tasted October 2010.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2004

Somewhat light-bodied for a Ducru, with a 1999-like personality, this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc is a forward, medium-bodied, pretty effort revealing notes of cranberries, black cherries, cassis, and earth. Full of finesse, but lacking concentration as well as depth, it should be consumed over the next 10-12 years.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

Loads of crushed berries on the nose, with hints of flowers and minerals. Very aromatic. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, cappuccino and berry aftertaste. Really refined. Best after 2009.

Wine Advocate

89-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

A quintessentially elegant effort, the 2001 offers notes of liquified minerals intermixed with raspberries and a hint of vanilla. This medium-bodied, moderately tannic, stylish wine recalls the excellent 1999 as well as the under-rated 1981. It is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2015.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

The 2001 is a medium-bodied, pure example displaying notes of red and black currants intermixed with minerals, spice box, and hints of cedar as well as toast. A late harvest (October 1-12) produced a surprisingly fruit-driven, pure, up-front 2001 Ducru. Xavier Borie thinks this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc is "better than the 1999, riper, denser, and fuller." When tasted next to the 1999, the only difference is a firmer style of tannin in the 2001, whereas the 1999 is pure charm and elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016.