En Primeur Bordeaux 2011

A medium-bodied, pleasant, lighter style of St.-Julien, the 2011 Beychevelle reveals a dark plum/ruby color in addition to notes of strawberries, black cherries, new saddle leather and hints of herbs and earth. Refreshing and delicate, it should drink well for 10-15 years.

Score: 87 - 89 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

Deep crimson. Delicately, leafily fragrant. On the lighter side but the tannins reined in to keep the balance. Finishes dry but still fragrant. (JH)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2026

This has good ripe plum and black cherry fruit woven with a currant eau-de-vie aroma. There's fine-grained structure and an easy, vanilla-tinged finish. Not as dense as the top St.-Juliens.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The Beychevelle 2011 is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked between 14th and 29th September, with twelve days of picking between those dates. The yield is one of Beychevelle’s lowest at 39.5hl/ha with 13.2% alcohol and an IPT of 78. It has decent concentration on the nose, red rather than black fruit: raspberry, cranberry and a touch of pomegranate struck through with graphite and tobacco. It is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry that is showing a little grittiness and chalkiness to its texture. It has crisp acidity and firm backbone with a grainy, masculine, tobacco tinged, tapered finish that is a little raw at present. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Well-expressed Cabernet fruit and typical Beychevelle restrained elegance, with more fruit and depth to show as it matures.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2025

Plenty of blueberry and currant character with soft and velvety tannins and a pretty balance of fruit, alcohol and bright acidity. Nicely done.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A top-notch effort from this estate, the 2011 exhibits an exotic perfume of lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, raspberry jam and red as well as black currants. Loads of fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and velvety tannin suggest this beauty will drink well for 15+ years. It is one of the stars of the appellation in this vintage. Bravo!

Score: 91 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

Deep black cherry colour. Perfumed with cassis, vanilla and spice with a slight green note. More dry and savoury on the palate but there's a cool freshness and balance that leaves the mouth fresh. (JH)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2025

A very elegant style, with a violet frame to the supple red currant, blueberry and black cherry fruit flavors that mingle with high-toned spice on the finish. Offers fine-grained structure.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The 2011 is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 14th and 29th September at just 37hl/ha. It has a straightforward bouquet of light fresh red berry fruit laced with orange rind and graphite, focused but not powerful. After five minutes there is a brine or fish scale note. The palate has a chalky entry with crisp acidity, just a little hardness in the mouth but the finish is softer. There are notes of blackberry, pain grille and graphite with a dry, crisp finish. Fine. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Very good depth of Cabernet-cassis fruit, good middle sweetness and firm natural tannins. Will show very well.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2028

A very pretty red with flowers, blackberries, and blueberries. Full and silky with racy tannins and a long finish. Some hints of cocoa and pleasant bitterness. Well structured.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A top-notch success that tips the scales at 13.6% natural alcohol, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc was cropped at only 27 hectoliters per hectare. Representing 40% of the entire production, this is a seriously endowed, deep purple-colored 2011 with lots of pure crème de cassis and black cherry liqueur notes intermixed with notions of cedar, vanillin and spice box. With good acidity, ripe tannin and surprising concentration as well as depth, this classic St.-Julien has once again over-performed.

Score: 90 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc. 40% new barrels. Inky black cherry with black core. Wonderfully refined cassis fruit purity with just the slightest hint of cedar. Lovely elegance with fine fruit fragrance on the palate. Refined dry texture without any dryness. Top-class Cabernet character. Great length with finesse in the tannins to the very end. Classic St-Julien. (JH)

Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2035

Coffee and wild dark fruits on the nose. Very cabernet character packed with rich, ripe fruits on the palate. Full bodied with a lond, vibrant balanced finish. Recommended.

Score: 90 - 92 Albany Vintners

This is solid, with singed apple wood giving way to damson plum and blackberry fruit. Dark roasted vanilla bean and tar notes take over on the finish, which has nice stuffing.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The Clos du Marquis is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc cropped at 27hl/ha. It has a well-defined, minerally bouquet that would benefit from a little more fruit intensity. It is certainly broody and introspective compared to the 2010. The palate is more promising with a firm backbone, fresh acidity, foursquare and masculine with good substance and weight towards the finish, more sense of completeness than the aromatics suggests. It does not quite have the persistency of a great Clos du Marquis but it is very fine. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Superb expression of Cabernet cassis, great purity, depth, length and precision. A Pauillac-Saint Julien.

Score: 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2028

This is very structured for the vintage with firm yet polished tannins and bright acidity. Lemony finish. Minerally. Full and dense. Nose is bright and floral. From Leoville Las Cases. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

The opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2011 Croix de Beaucaillou (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) exhibits copious aromas of incense, Christmas fruitcake and red and black currants presented in a richly fruity, opulent style that is almost atypical in a vintage such as 2011 (which generally emphasizes acidity, delineation and more traditional structure and freshness). This beauty is clearly a sleeper of the vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years. 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.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

Now with its Jade Jagger label (Rolling Stone and Beaucaillou, gettit?). 'Planned to ask Christian Lacroix but he was working on beer', said Bruno Borie. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. First year for the Petit Verdot. 60% new oak. Deep bright cherry. First year for the Petit Verdot. Exotically spiced, black fruit, even a little leathery. Purest phase of ripeness. Then more savoury on the palate. Both earthy and juicy. Very rounded but rich in the mouth, too, good amount of flesh - more flesh than many - filling out the tannins so that they are well hidden. (JH) 13.2% (16.5+ Points)

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2028

The 2011 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. It has fine delineation on the nose that is dominated by creamy new oak at the moment, although it is completely in synch with the ebullient ripe blackberry and briary fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite succulent tannins. There is a keen thread of citrus lemon and a touch of orange rind, with fine delineation and poise towards the tensile finish. This is a very fine second wine for the vintage, fresh and lively. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Good density of quite restrained fruit, elegantly seductive style.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2022

Aromas of plums and berries with hints of chocolate and spice. Medium to full body, with firm tannins and a chocolate and berry undertone. Well done. Second wine of Ducru. 7% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot, and 73% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

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 crème 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.

Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2032

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%

Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2032

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.

Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

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

Score: 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2030

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.

Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com