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Branaire Ducru 2013

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2013 Branaire-Ducru did not particularly impress when I tasted it from barrel. Now in bottle, it feels anonymous, a little dusty on the nose and there is an aromatic hole where the fruit ought to be. Enervated? The palate is medium-bodied with more weight than the nose suggests, but it is very conservative and feels light and ephemeral towards the finish that needs more substance. This Saint Julien estate has overseen better wines than the 2013 in recent years.

Score: 87

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2027 28 October 2016

The Château Branaire Ducru 2013, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc picked between 30 September and 15 October cropped at 33hl/ha. Patrick Maroteaux told me that the older vines did not suffer so much from coulure. I tasted the wines on three occasions, once at the château and twice elsewhere. It has a simple bouquet with light, slightly herbaceous black fruit laced with graphite, not dissimilar to that of Beychevelle. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. There is just a little coarseness in this Branaire Ducru, a little angular at the moment although it has a little more persistency than Beychevelle with the graphite note lending it a Pauillac-like sensibility, though it cuts off very abruptly. This is a decent, honest Branaire Ducru made in a classic off-dry style but it desperately needs more substance.

Score: 86 - 88

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2014

A juicy young wine with berry, cherry and currant character. Medium to full body, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish. Pure and delicious. Very well done.

Score: 91 - 92

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2014

Liquorice, aniseed, very savoury and dark. Fruit is quite suppressed, this is very traditional and very successful. Bundles of tannin on the finish. Aristocratic and self-assured. (17.5)

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2033 01 April 2014

An elegant, floral style of St.-Julien, with violet and lilac notes out front, followed by rooibos tea, red currant and bitter cherry flavors. The long, stony finish has ample acidity and drive. This should develop into a charmer.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2014

Light and but balanced in the mouth with very bright strawberry and cherry fruit in the middle. Attractive and Pinot-like.

Score: 87 - 90

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2014

Fine deep colour and fine vineyard expression, good depth, balance and class for the future.

Score: 90

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2018-2028 01 April 2014