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Branaire Ducru 2019

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

A classic Saint Julien Chateau that produces wines of real St Julien class and structure. 60 hectares of vines planted with 65%Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Purchased by the late Patrick Maroteaux in 1988, it is now run by his son Francois-Xavier who told us that the 2018 seems to him to be a hypothetical blend of 2009 (accessability), 2010 (structure) and 2016 (classicism). A bit more Merlot this year with a final blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Branaire-Ducru

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Branaire-Ducru unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants, sweet soil tones and hints of cigar wrapper, rose petals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's youthfully tightly wound, with terrific concentration, tangy acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. While this is a little reserved out of the gates, its energy and classical proportions will richly reward bottle age. Drink Date 2029 - 2065

95
William Kelley, RobertParker.com (April 2022), April 2022

Very clear fruit character of blackcurrants, orange peel and spices. Some walnut, too. It’s full-bodied with integrated, polished tannins and shows finesse and focus. Love the focused fruit at the end of this. Strength with finesse. Give it four to five years of bottle age. Try after 2024.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, December 2021

Deep ruby colour with a highly floral, fresh and fragrant nose. The palate is lithe and pure, with red and black fruits complemented by chalky tannins. The fruit is fresh and slightly herbal, but there is no sense of underripeness. Cool, compact and harmonious, this should drink well from a fairly young age.

93
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, November 2021

The 2019 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it flies out of the glass with notes of crushed blackcurrants, black cherries, and stewed plums, plus wafts of rose oil, cinnamon toast, and fragrant earth. The medium-bodied palate is juicy and plush, with lively acidity and a spicy finish.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2023

Hard to resist this finessed and silky Branaire, with finely boned tannins, well balanced black fruits, nuanced tobacco leaf and a crushed mint sign-off. Plenty to enjoy in this wine, there are good tannins. 43hl/h yield.

93
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, January 2022

Tasted blind. Deep, luscious crimson. Rich, tea-leaf nose and lots of vigour. Marked acidity, but lots of fruit and tannin too. But not incredibly tightly knit. 13.5%
Drink 2028
– 2042

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2023

Deep ruby in colour with red cherry and darker plum on the nose. The palate is compact and fresh, with chalky tannins framing hedgerow fruit and a hint of cedar. This elegant and fresh example is well proportioned and harmonious through to the finish.

92/94
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, June 2020

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.
Juicy, appetising and very aromatic. Almost primary in the definition of the aromas. Lithe and fresh on the palate, the tannins firm but not aggressive. (JL)
Drink 2026 – 2038

16.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2020
Read more tasting notes...

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Branaire-Ducru slips out of the glass with flamboyant notes of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and Indian spices plus hints of potpourri and truffles. Medium-bodied, the palate has a quiet intensity of savory layers with ripe, fine-grained tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a minerally note.

95
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

Dark-berry and blue-fruit character to the firm, chewy tannins that are polished and solid. Medium to full body. Wood and walnut undertones now. Impressive.

95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, June 2020

Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Branaire-Ducru starts off a little broody, with woodsmoke and graphite-inspired scents giving way to an emerging core of warm cassis, mulberries and fruitcake plus touches of mocha, rose petals and bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals surprising energy with bags of perfumed black fruits juxtaposed by compelling tension and a fine-grained texture, beautifully supporting the tightly knit layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note. If the bottled wine delivers on this promise, I foresee a wonderfully poised, nuanced Branaire-Ducru of the sophistication and caliber that has not been seen for quite some time. Exciting! 2024 - 2044

93/95+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (July Week ), July 2020

Floral-studded nose along with cassis fruits, this is an enjoyable Branaire Ducru that is easy to recommend. Lighter-framed than some in the appellation with its characteristic fine tannins making this a medium-term drinker within the St Julien context. Plenty of juice running through the palate, enjoyable baked earth and menthol notes and a kick of salinity on the finish. A yield of 43hl/ha. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Drinking Window 2026 - 2042

93
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, June 2020

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
Light with quite marked acidity. Muted and dry with good fruit/tannin balance. Sandpaper tannins on the finish. 13.5%
Drink 2027 – 2042

16+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, December 2021
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.