- Colour
- Red
- Producer
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
- Region
- St Julien
- Grape
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc
- Drinking
- 2018 - 2038
- Case size
- 12x75cl
2011 CH DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU 2ÈME CRU ST JULIEN - 12x75cl
- Colour
- Red
- Producer
- Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
- Region
- St Julien
- Grape
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc
- Drinking
- 2018 - 2038
- Case size
- 12x75cl
No further quantities available
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Tasting Notes
-
Goedhuis, April 2012,
Score: 93-95There is often a sumptuous feel to Ducru and this could perhaps be linked to Bruno Borie’s penchant for elegance and beautiful women. While he equated his ‘voluptuous’ 2009 to Beyoncé, his ‘savoury, firm and academic’ 2010 to Shakira (then Charlize Theron), 2011 seemingly shows a parallel to... Nicole Kidman. Violet and lifted on the nose, there is notable density on the palate yet within a super poised and polished frame. Notable layers with some curves, it finishes firm but with an uplifting salty tang.
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Robert Parker, April 2012,
Score: 93-95One 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. Drink: 2012-2032.
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James Suckling, April 2012,
Score: 94-95Fabulous 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.
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Decanter, April 2012,
Score: 18Strikingly floral Cabernet ripeness, finesse and purity, lovely texture, beautifully expressive almost Margaux style, total opposite to Las Cases. Drink 2017-2030. (4 stars).
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Jancis Robinson, April 2012,
Score: 17.5Smallest 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. Drink 2018-2032.
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Producer
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Instantly recognisable by its sunny Mediterranean-hued label,Ducru Beaucaillou is always a favourite amongst wine aficionados. Owned by the Borie family over the last 60 years, it has been run by Bruno, the eldest son of the late Jean-Eugène, since 2003. This change in leadership seems to have had a positive effect in all vintages since. Like certain other châteaux in Bordeaux, Ducru carries out cold macerations during their vinification process, a technique in which grapes are steeped in their own juice at low temperatures to gently extract vibrant colour and fleshy fruit.
Region
St Julien
St Julien is like the middle child of the Médoc - not as assertive as Pauillac or as coquettish as Margaux. It lies firmly between the two more outspoken communes and as a result produces a blend of them both. St Julien's wines have often been sought out by aficionados for their balance and consistency, particularly in the UK. Yet due to its middle child nature, it can occasionally be overlooked globally and as a result underrated by those markets outside the UK. Despite the fact that it has no first growths, it has several second growths including Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Barton, Léoville Poyferré and Ducru Beaucaillou as well as the celebrated châteaux such as Talbot and Beychevelle.