Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint Julien 2018

Chateau Branaire Ducru, 4eme Grand Cru Classe Saint Julien, Bordeaux, France, 2018  

Grapes: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, average vine age is 35 years, aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels

Chateau tasting note: The nose, which is very expressive, shows a nice complexity of ripe fruit, well balanced by fresher notes. The intensity of the bouquet develops with aeration and the oak is well integrated. The first impression on the palate is one of silky roundness with impressive volume, overlaying extremely fine tannins. The wine develops slowly and gradually on the palate, following its logical path to a voluptuous mid-palate with beautiful density: always refined – never overpowering. The aromatic complexity, and delicious acidity are omni-present with a lovely long-lasting fruit finish ensuring freshness and lift. The house style of Branaire-Ducru is very evident in the 2018 vintage: expressive fruit, great finesse and balance, wonderful freshness, but always with exceptional depth, density and refinement

"Black-cherry rim with opaque core. Scented with cassis and ripe damson fruit, quite open on the nose. Lively on the palate too, really fruity, balanced by fine layers of dry but not drying tannins. Oaky, chewy, rich, but smooth on the finish with aromatic fruit through to the finish. (JH)"

16.5/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2019 (Barrel Sample)

"The 2018 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an upfront, expressive nose of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries with an undercurrent of dried mint, spice box and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs a very pleasant fruit wallop, featuring juicy black fruits and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lovely purity."

93/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2021

Many other critics were also highly appreciative of this wine with mid nineties scores!