The whole wine is finely tuned, full of grip, depth and complexity. Still young although softening, and there is lovely juice and mint leaf on the finish that slowly but surely brings the focus up out of tannin and fruit to a more savoury feel. 95% new oak. First year for optical sorting for La Croix and Ducru, and the yields were extremely low, 25hl/ha, the lowest for 25 years at the time. Took an extra 10% out after the optical. Drinking Window 2021 - 2040
Blind tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 19 Feb 2021)

The 2011 Ducru-Beaucaillou was an early-picked vintage, 5-18 September, but has the same analysis as the 2009 and 2010 in terms of IPT. Matured in 90% new oak for 18 months, it has a very well defined bouquet with intense black fruit intermingling with dried herbs and liquorice; strangely, the 2011 is not unlike the 2005 in character and also being "not ready". The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, sweet and generous yet with countervailing acidity and a gorgeous, pure and nuanced finish. This is one of the real surprises of this vertical and must rank as one of the best Left Bank wines of the vintage. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. July 2022

The 2011 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, is deep garnet in color. It scoots out of the glass with up-front notes of blackcurrant jelly, Morello cherries, and mulberries, followed by hints of wild sage, cedar chest, and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is lively and refreshing, with a lightly chewy texture and savory finish. LPB Sept 2023 The Wine Independent

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.

– James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 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.

– jamessuckling.com, February 2014

Cigar box, underbrush, blackberries, flowers, and lead pencil show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is ready to go with its soft, polished, sweet red plum and currant core of fruits. Charming in style, with loads of refreshing mint at the back of the finish, this is drinking beautifully today. The wine blends 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot. Drink from 2023-2041. Tasted Sept 2023

Attractive, silky texture - clean and fresh but still concentrated. 7% Petit Verdot (again, they have never used this grape before - this year for the first time the Petit Verdot has ripened sufficiently for it to be included in the grand vin). Precise, focused, long silky finish - very attractive indeed. Another great Ducru even if it lacks the massive concentration of the 2009 and 2010.

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.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #212, Apr 2014)

From a vintage that's drinking nicely today, the 2011 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou has a medium-bodied, foursquare, concentrated, and incredibly satisfying style as well as textured aromatics and flavors. It's balanced, has ripe tannins, outstanding length, and another 20-30 years of overall longevity. I think it's a small step back from the 2012, but these are both charming, enjoyable vintages that already offer pleasure. Oct 2023

[85CS/15M] Dense, complex, finely mineral and persistent to smell, promises a fine bouquet; elegant, finely balanced, fresh in acidity, firm but with no excess tannin; long, typically discrete and refined St Julien, not a big wine, but freshly and sweetly ripe, beautifully defined, long and mineral to taste, clearly very Cabernet, but without austerity; linear and slender, but also complete and with considerable aromatic scope, a fine boned, classy, complete claret. Just lacking a point in charm, maybe? Long term. 2024-40 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

Quality 784 | Brand 993 | Economics 850 |
Quality: Above the average quality score of its peer group for the 2011 vintage, 725 Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 44 of the world's top wine lists, including Le Calandre Economics: More traded at auction than its peers, its top 5 vintages having seen 3,041 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year Production:

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017