Branon 2009

Pessac-Leognan

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Tasting Notes
This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 01 March 2012
Having just had the 2000 Branon, which performed unbelievably well, this is definitely a wine for connoisseurs to seek out. The problem is that just under 500 cases were made, all from relatively old vines planted in the early sixties. This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is from a parcel of the Branon vineyard sandwiched between Haut-Bailly and Malartic Lagraviere in the heart of Leognan. The 2009 reveals smoky, earthy, barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, charcoal, and graphite. This hugely concentrated, intense, dense, full-bodied powerhouse possesses silky tannins, plenty of glycerin, an over the top, extravagantly rich mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. A potential legend in the making, this wine should drink well for 30+ years. (Tasted once.) Score: 96 - 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-40 01 April 2010
(14.5% alcohol; 100% new oak) Ruby-red. Captivating strawberry and violet aromas speak of the cabernet franc component, but there is also a noticeable and clever use of new oak here. Dense, supple and luscious in the mouth, with rich flavors of red cherry, red berries and vanilla that last and last. Finishes with light peppery and mineral qualities. This big, showy wine has the balance to avoid coming across as exaggerated, even if some purists might object to the amount of new oak lavished on it. This extremely well-made wine should age effortlessly. Score: 91 - 94 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2010
Very dark but lustrous. Toasty and intense. Tarry. Excessively aggressive on the palate and some hints of damp cat fur. Not really much fun on the palate at the moment! Drying finish. Score: 15 - 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2019 02 April 2010
A small garagiste cuvée producing between 500-600 cases, Branon is owned by Helene Garcin also the proprietor of Haut Bergey and Clos l’Eglise in Pomerol, and Barde-Haut in St.-Emilion. The vineyard, which is planted with equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, is beautifully situated near Haut-Bailly and Malartic-Lagraviere. Alain Raynaud is now the winemaking consultant for all of the Garcin family’s wines. Ripe and with spicy, peppery notes. Super concentrated, and powerful if not typically Graves in character, or Bordeaux even. Nonetheless, impressive. Very modern-winemaking. Lots of structure and huge chalky tannins. Score: 90 - 93 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010
Love the nose on this, with blackberry, licorice and stone. Full-bodied, with supersilky and ultrafine tannins. This wine goes on and on. Score: 92 - 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2010
Tasted at Clos l’Eglise. This has a ripe black cherry, briary, redcurrant tinged bouquet with very fine definition and clarity. The palate is medium-bodied but with firm tannins, quite robust, a broad-shouldered, quite powerful Branon that grip the palate, earthy tones towards the weighty finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2010. Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

Tasting Notes

This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 01 March 2012

Having just had the 2000 Branon, which performed unbelievably well, this is definitely a wine for connoisseurs to seek out. The problem is that just under 500 cases were made, all from relatively old vines planted in the early sixties. This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is from a parcel of the Branon vineyard sandwiched between Haut-Bailly and Malartic Lagraviere in the heart of Leognan. The 2009 reveals smoky, earthy, barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, charcoal, and graphite. This hugely concentrated, intense, dense, full-bodied powerhouse possesses silky tannins, plenty of glycerin, an over the top, extravagantly rich mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. A potential legend in the making, this wine should drink well for 30+ years. (Tasted once.)

Score: 96 - 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-40 01 April 2010

(14.5% alcohol; 100% new oak) Ruby-red. Captivating strawberry and violet aromas speak of the cabernet franc component, but there is also a noticeable and clever use of new oak here. Dense, supple and luscious in the mouth, with rich flavors of red cherry, red berries and vanilla that last and last. Finishes with light peppery and mineral qualities. This big, showy wine has the balance to avoid coming across as exaggerated, even if some purists might object to the amount of new oak lavished on it. This extremely well-made wine should age effortlessly.

Score: 91 - 94

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2010

Very dark but lustrous. Toasty and intense. Tarry. Excessively aggressive on the palate and some hints of damp cat fur. Not really much fun on the palate at the moment! Drying finish.

Score: 15 - 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2019 02 April 2010

A small garagiste cuvée producing between 500-600 cases, Branon is owned by Helene Garcin also the proprietor of Haut Bergey and Clos l’Eglise in Pomerol, and Barde-Haut in St.-Emilion. The vineyard, which is planted with equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, is beautifully situated near Haut-Bailly and Malartic-Lagraviere. Alain Raynaud is now the winemaking consultant for all of the Garcin family’s wines. Ripe and with spicy, peppery notes. Super concentrated, and powerful if not typically Graves in character, or Bordeaux even. Nonetheless, impressive. Very modern-winemaking. Lots of structure and huge chalky tannins.

Score: 90 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Love the nose on this, with blackberry, licorice and stone. Full-bodied, with supersilky and ultrafine tannins. This wine goes on and on.

Score: 92 - 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2010

Tasted at Clos l’Eglise. This has a ripe black cherry, briary, redcurrant tinged bouquet with very fine definition and clarity. The palate is medium-bodied but with firm tannins, quite robust, a broad-shouldered, quite powerful Branon that grip the palate, earthy tones towards the weighty finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2010.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

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