Appellations

Branaire Ducru 2014

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Branaire-Ducru offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, suffused with tobacco and pleasant undergrowth aromas, perhaps just missing the precision of the Beychevelle at the moment. The palate is supple on the entry with a slightly grainy texture, the acidity well judged, a little edginess towards the finish that just needs to must more depth, more drive. Not bad for the vintage, although I would like to see some improvement in bottle. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Score: 89 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2038 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 24 September with the early-ripening Merlot, and finishing on 11 October. The yields came in at 40 hectoliters per hectare and Patrick Maratoux explained the importance of waiting for the correct maturity of each parcel. It has a tightly wound bouquet with black cherries and orange peel aromas, focused if not quite as complex as say, Château Beychevelle. The palate is medium-bodied, sinewy in the mouth with tensile tannins. This is a wine that seems to be making a huge effort in this vintage, but I would like to see more finesse manifested on the finish by the time it is in bottle. You know, I think that will develop. That 12 to 13% vin de presse lends this Branaire Ducru impressive sustain on the finish and I suspect that it will coalesce throughout the barrel ageing in two-thirds new oak (though the sample shown at the château was 100% new oak).

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2032 Date: 01 April 2015

This is a slightly shy mid-weight wine that is anything but a flashy one. If you have some patience though it has plenty of subtlety and sophistication. Drink in 2021.

Score: 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

This really builds on the palate with round and velvety tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Layered and complex. Shows real potential.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 23 March 2015

Intensely aromatic with berries, floral and mineral notes. Medium weight of gentle fruit and spicy oak, finishing dry.

Score: 90 - 92 Albany Vintners, - Date: 24 April 2015

Dark crimson. Energetic nose. Fairly light palate without that much concentration. Round, with less tannic charge than most. Serviceable. A little scrawny on the finish. (16+ Points)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2030 Date: 15 April 2015

The 2014 Branaire Ducru is beautifully textured in the glass. Lavender, plum, mint and spice open up nicely in the glass. Initially quite dense and powerful, the 2014 turns more floral and lifted over time. Sweet red cherry, graphite, violet and licorice add further shades of dimension on the finish. Creamy, silky tannins add to an overall impression of sophistication. The style is round, supple and quite giving, even at this early stage. Tasted three times.

Score: 91 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

Focused and a touch austere for now, with a charcoal edge to the core of black currant and steeped fig fruit. Tobacco and bramble notes check in on the finish, and there's solid acidity in reserve. Well-built and should evolve nicely.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

Very pure and expressive, featuring lovely violet and cassis aromas and flavors that stream forth, backed by light anise and graphite hints. Maintains a fresh feel through the finish, with light minerality engaging with the fruit. Best from 2019 through 2028.

Score: 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2019-2028 Date: 01 January 1900