Branaire Ducru 2015

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Branaire-Ducru has an earthy nose over a core of red and black currants with hints of tapenade, pencil shavings and sage. The medium-bodied palate is firm and chewy, with just enough fruit and a lively finish.

Score: 90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2031 Date: 21 February 2018

More open than many 2015 St.-Juliens at this stage in spite of the firm, dry tannin structure behind the bright cassis. The tannins need some integration, but with some patience (from 2021 or 2022), this will become a rather fine wine.

Score: 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 02 February 2018

This is very structured and tight with chewy polished tannins and blueberry, blackberry. Full and savory. Should develop beautifully.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 April 2016

Deep purple ruby. Classic, fresh aromas of ripe blackberry, currants and cocoa. Smooth and silky with great length with some toasted oak and cedar/eucalyptus lift on the finish.

Score: 90 - 92 Albany Vintners, - Date: 27 April 2016

The 2015 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 18 September until 8 October, with two or three intervals in between. Matured in around 60% new oak (although as usual my barrel sample was from a new oak barrel), it has a high-toned, black cherry and cassis scented nose that perhaps feels a little constricted by the new wood in this sample, though not necessarily once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, white pepper and a touch of sage, gritty tannin, foursquare and a little conservative. There is commendable weight on the finish, if not quite the precision compared to its peers. I noticed this gaining more cohesion in the glass, which bodes well for once the Branaire-Ducru is in bottle. I expect this to rest at the top of my banded score.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 01 April 2016

Dark ruby. Sweetly gamey on the nose. A little light compared with some but very correct. Quite advanced. But just slightly austere in style. No one could object but I can't imagine many falling madly in love. Stones on the finish.

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2038 Date: 01 April 2016

Pretty and aromatic, with flavors of kirsch and cherry preserves mixed with tobacco and bay notes. Stays energetic through the relatively sleek finish. Wins on purity.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2016