Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2023 has received very strong early professional reviews, generally landing in the mid-to-high 90s (out of 100) and being viewed as a classic, age-worthy Ducru with a more refined, elegant profile than the richer 2022 vintage.
Professional ratings (2023 vintage)
| Critic |
Rating |
Notes |
| James Suckling |
96–97 |
Praised for blackberry, blackcurrant, graphite, flint, refined tannins, creamy texture, mineral energy, and a linear finish. |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
95–97 |
Described as highly elegant, with cassis, spring flowers, graphite, crushed stone, depth, acidity, and 50+ year aging potential. |
| The Wine Independent |
95–97+ |
Noted classic Cabernet character, lavender, pencil shavings, firm tannins, tension, and impressive structure. |
| Decanter |
97 |
Highlighted vibrant purple color, blackcurrant/cherry fruit, silky texture, freshness, and a long liquorice finish. |
| Vinous (Antonio Galloni) |
95–97 |
Praised aromatic complexity (truffle, rose petal, blood orange, spice, menthol) and a balance of richness and vibrancy. |
| Vinous (Neal Martin) |
94–96 |
More restrained assessment: refined, poised, fresh, linear, and classically styled. |
| Jane Anson |
96 |
Described as precise and balanced, with concentration, fine tannins, nuance, and a saline finish. |
Overall professional consensus
- Style: Classic Saint-Julien Cabernet expression rather than an overly opulent style.
- Aromatics: Cassis, blackberry, black cherry, violet, graphite/pencil shavings, cedar, floral notes, and mineral tones.
- Palate: Refined tannins, fresh acidity, polished structure, and a long finish.
- Blend: Reported as approximately 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, with about 13% alcohol and élevage in 100% new oak.
- Cellaring: Most critics expect a long life; estimates commonly extend from roughly the late 2020s into the 2050s or beyond.
Rating summary
Average critic range: ~95–97 points
Consensus quality level: Outstanding / potential long-term classic
Drinking window (approx.): 2028–2060+ (with proper storage)
The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou appears to be a vintage aimed at collectors who value finesse, structure, and longevity rather than immediate richness. It is likely to reward extended cellar aging.
95-97+ The Wine Independent
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou opens with classic great Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, mulberries, and ripe plums leading to a perfume of lilacs, lavender, and pencil shavings with a touch of cardamom. The light to medium-bodied palate is very tightly wound and so, so elegant, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and wonderful tension giving definition to the black and red berry layers, finishing long and fragrant. This is more structured than most Médoc wines this year and very impressive. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, with pH 3.70 and TPI 89.
96-97pts James Suckling
This has aromas of blackberries and blackcurrant, as well as graphite and flint. Some gunpowder. It’s full-bodied with extremely refined tannins, a creamy character and al-dente fruit at the finish. Crunchy, succulent and linear. Mineral edge to it, like licking a stone. Energetic. 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot.
95-97pts Vinous
The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien. The aromatics alone are captivating. Truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and menthol build in a creamy, lavish Ducru. The 2023 is a classic Bruno Borie wine that emphasizes textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling.
- Antonio Galloni
95-97pts Jeb Dunnuck
As to the Grand Vin, the 2023 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou brings everything up a level, offering a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and crushed stone. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, pure, incredibly elegant Ducru that has ample mid-palate depth, building tannins, and a great spine of acidity. It’s another gorgeous wine from this chateau that plays in the style of the 2010, 2016, and 2020. The 2023 is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, again in new barrels, and it hit 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.7, and an IPT of 89. It will have 50+ years of longevity.
96pts Jane Anson
Glass-staining violet. A serious Ducru, delivered with precision and balance, with plenty of concentration and a slow, long build, layered, fine and sappy tannins. Proof again that this is a great Cabernet year in this corner of Bordeaux, less velvet concentration than the 2022 Ducru perhaps, but more finesse and packed full of nuance, and a saline mouthwatering finish. 41hl/h yield, 100% new oak, with long seasoning of up to five years, nine different coopers.
94-96pts Vinous
The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 100% new oak for a planned 18 months, has a less forceful bouquet than the 2022 last year and, consequently, shows more refinement and poise. The scents don't come barging out of the blocks, but they creep up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry. Showing moderate depth, it's quite linear in style and grippy. A faint touch of bell pepper emerges on the classically styled finish that reminds me of some of the old vintages of Ducru-Beaucaillou. This is the strictest vintage I have encountered in some time.
- Neal Martin
