CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE DUCRU

The 2000 Branaire Ducru was picked September 25 to October 10 at 12.7° alcohol. It has a similar bouquet to my previous bottle, unfolding discreetly in the glass to reveal cedar-infused red fruit, while hints of dried blood/meat juices evolve with aeration. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and old-school, offering frayed tannins, noticeable acidity and tobacco and black pepper on the finish, which lacks grip compared to other bottles. Decanting would certainly benefit this wine. Drinking range: 2021 - 2030 Rating: 90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2021)

The 2000 Château Branaire Grand Cru Classé (now Branaire-Ducru, but back in 2000 still called just Branaire) showcases the greatness of Bordeaux. The Branaire is rich and ample in the style of the vintage, but with Branaire’s (and Saint Julien’s) natural grace, balance and charm keeping it from being over the top. Drinking range: 2018 - 2028 Rating: 92 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (Mar 2018)

The fruit spectrum is slightly riper here than the 2001, and everything is a little more powerful, with more fig and plum than the cassis, blue fruits of the 2001. Just beginning to get tertiary flavours, with softer fruit emerging, along with gently lengthening tannins. The 2000 remained closed for a long time, but is accelerating now, while the 2001 tastes significantly younger; fascinating to track the evolution of these two. Drinking range: 2014 - 2035 Rating: 92 Decanter Magazine (Sept 2014)