CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE DUCRU
2006 4ème Cru Classé Saint Julien
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Haut Médoc |
| Village | Saint Julien |
| Classification | 4ème Cru Classé |
| ABV | 13.5% |
Deep colour, a healthy firm purple. Very pure, floral and fresh black fruit expressive nose. Sweet and taut, rounded with a sense of sucrosity. Tannins silky even if very present. The tannins levels are almost identical (or marginally higher) than in 2005, and the acidity is 0.4 higher, so its in many ways a very similar analysis, although the expression is different, very fresh, delicate and of great purity. Rating: 91 L&S (Apr 2007)
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Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
Ruby-red. Brooding nose offers dark plum, blueberry, menthol and violet aromas. Fresh and clean in the mouth, showing dense flavors of cassis, black cherry and black pepper that persist nicely. Finishes chewy and persistent, with slightly chunky tannins, a building chocolatey nuance and very good freshness. Still young, but less exotic and chocolatey than some other vintages of Branaire-Ducru. I also don't think the tannins are as refined as those of more recent vintages. Rating: 89 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (Mar 2014)
The mix of black fruits on the nose has sweetness and this gives a fleshy richness on the nose and the start of the palate. The tannins although still in evidence are not overpowering the fruit and allow the cassis and black plum to enrich the finish. 2013-28 Drinking range: 2013 - 2028 Rating: 91 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)
A superlative performance from Branaire Ducru, way above my previous appraisals for Mon. Maroutoux’s Saint Julien estate. It remains austere on the nose: blackberry, damson, even a touch of marmalade developing with aeration. Moderate definition. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe tannins, very powerful and intense, toasty black fruit laced with tar and graphite with a tannic, bold finish that demands more cellaring. Excellent. Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2010)
Château Branaire Ducru
St Julien Quatrième cru 1855 When the Beychevelle estate was broken up in 1642, in order to pay off the debts of the deceased owner, it gave birth to three Châteaux - Beychevelle, Ducru-Beaucaillou and, the portion purchased by Jean-Baptiste Braneyre, Branaire-Ducru. Jean-Baptiste's daughter married Pierre de Luc and their descendents (morphing into the Duluc family during the Revolution) owned Branaire until 1919. Branaire failed to excite much until it was bought by Patrick Maroteaux in 1988. Since then Branaire-Ducru has become a reliably good buy for lovers of St Julien. The vineyards are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. While the number of family-owned châteaux is becoming increasingly smaller in the Médoc, the Maroteaux family has owned Branaire-Ducru since 1988. They immediatley put in a stat of the art gravity fed cellar - designed in a revolutionary way along the lines of a spoked -wheel - with all the tanks fanning out from a central control space up above. In 2017 it still looks cutting edge - and it is easy to understand how the wines are made so well here. Very sadly on November 19, 2017, Patrick Maroteaux passed away at the age of 67. His son, François Xavier Maroteaux took over the full time responsibilities of managing the estate and is committed to keeping up the great work being done here. Every year they strive to retain their ‘home signature’ of 'pure fruit, freshness and balance' and although you can always sense the vintage variations - this ambition is always clear. The Grand Vin has a focus and an elegance that is intrinsically 'Branaire' - and the pricing remains well measured. Branaire-Ducru is very often one of our recommended wines as it can offer super value for money in St Julien.
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RELATED PRODUCTS
1996 CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON 2ème Cru Classé Saint Julien
Left Bank Bordeaux France 13% Red
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
The 1996 Leoville Barton appears more youthful than the 1996 Langoa Barton in the glass with a healthy deep garnet core. The aromatics unfurl gracefully in the glass revealing briary, wild hedgerow, black truffle and san...(read more)
Neal Martin, www.vinous.comORDER COLLECT
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