Branaire Ducru - Saint-Julien 2012

Wine Advocate

91-91

byNeal Martinthe9/20/2022

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru has a rather subdued bouquet compared to its peers and lacks the same joire de vivre as the 2012 Clos du Marquis. The palate is medium-bodied with a light grip on the entry, finely balanced with admirable purity. It suggests that the aromatics might be amidst a dumb phase because there is more brightness towards the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/16/2022

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru has a rather subdued bouquet compared to its peers and lacks the same joire de vivre as the 2012 Clos du Marquis. The palate is medium-bodied with a light grip on the entry, finely balanced with admirable purity. It suggests that the aromatics might be amidst a dumb phase because there is more brightness towards the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Wine Advocate

90

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Deep ruby/purple, with sweet cranberry, mulberry and raspberry/blueberry fruit, this is always a distinctive St.-Julien and the 2012 has managed to avoid any of the hollowness or harsh tannins that can afflict some of the Médocs. It is elegant, well-made and an outstanding effort in this vintage. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.

Jamessuckling.com

91

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

A clean and fresh wine with blueberry, mineral and floral character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. This is a very refined and beautiful Branaire. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

90

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Bay leaf and tobacco notes are backed by a core of damson plum, black cherry and red currant fruit. The bay leaf edge underlines the finish, with a hint of violet and a well-buried iron accent. An elegant expression of St.-Julien. Best from 2017 through 2024. 12,083 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe12/11/2014

This is more like it in terms of aroma - ripe dark fruit but still so fresh. Plenty of oak evident on the palate, gentle and rounded tannins. Some chew and overall whole-hearted. Persistent too. (JH)13% Drink 2022-2034

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe10/23/2014

This is more like it in terms of aroma - ripe dark fruit but still so fresh. Plenty of oak evident on the palate, gentle and rounded tannins. Some chew and overall whole-hearted. Persistent too. (JH) 2022-2034

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

(68% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc):  Dark ruby.  Very rich aromas of red cherry, cassis, cocoa, violet and minerals.  Sweet and creamy in the mouth, with tactile red and black fruit and spicy mineral flavors carrying through to the long, perfumed finish, which features big but polished tannins.  This lovely wine just screams Saint-Julien in its classically refined delivery of cabernet sauvignon.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe5/31/2013

Ruby in colour, the wine offers flowers, jammy raspberries, vanilla and earth. Medium bodied, fresh and dominated by sweet raspberries and cherry, this is an elegant Branaire Ducru to enjoy while waiting for the 2009 and 2010 to mature.

Le Point

16

byJacques Dupontthe5/31/2013

Nez fruits rouges et boisé, bouche vive, tendue, mordante, du fruit rouge, assez éclatant, devrait bien évoluer vers un vin vif et fruité. O = 2017 G = 13 ans

Le Point

17,5-18

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fruits noirs, bouche fraîche, juteuse, frais, plein, moelleux. Elegant, belle matière, ample, fruité et fin, pas trop extrait et vendangé à la bonne maturité, tanins de grande qualité, tendu jusqu'en finale. O= 2017 G= 14 ans.

Asian Palate

89

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

Well made soft, balanced red with good concentration and finish with velvety texture. An early drinking red that is not for long aging but a pleasure to drink over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate

88-90

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2013

Picked from 2nd until 7th October at 39hl/ha during which they had 35mm of rain, 24mm from the 2nd until 15th and 11mm from 15th until the 17th. There were 107mm of rain compared to 164mm in 2011 and 172mm in 2008. It is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc and is being raised in 60-70% in new oak. It offers light fresh strawberry, red cherry and cedar scents that are very typical Saint Julien. It is nicely defined but would benefit from more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with a light, comparatively fleshy opening. This seems a forward Branaire that might yearn to be drunk sooner rather than later after bottling. It is fresh and harmonious, but is missing the backbone of the 2010 on the finish. This is conservative, but correct although a second sample proved more appealing. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

90-93

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Light, racy and pure, with red currant and cherry pit notes driving a solid hint of rooibos tea on the finish. The finely beaded acidity keeps this going. Not big, but persistent and showing considerable finesse. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Wine Advocate

80-90

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

The 2012 Branaire Ducru is a seductive effort that is a credit to this chateau, which did not try to over-extract or push the fruit past what it was capable of providing. The result is an elegant, pretty, mid-weight wine with soft, velvety tannin, spicy mulberry and black cherry fruit, hints of spring flowers and loamy soil undertones, medium body and a moderate finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.Drink: 2013 - 2025

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

From an assemblage of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.66. The wine will be aged in 60% new French oak. Ruby in color, the wine offers flowers, jammy raspberries, vanilla and earth. Medium bodied, fresh and dominated by sweet raspberries and cherry, this is an elegant Branaire Ducru to enjoy while waiting for the 2009 and 2010 to mature. 90-92 Pts

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/23/2013

Drink 2020-2030Dark crimson. Sweet, fragrant, rather floral nose. Opulent. Not at all typical of the vintage! Round and flattering. Some real energy here but not that true to type, though there are some nice dry appetising tannins on the finish.

Decanter.com

17

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Bright Cabernet fruit, a polished smoothness to match the slight greeeness, needs time and will show elegance and class. 17/20pts ( 90/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2030

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,75

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/22/2013

Couleur sombre, de bonne intensité. Nez fruité, floral et vif. Bouche tendre, très fruitée et suave à partir du milieu de bouche qui évolue savoureuse et finement tramée sur une densité normale. Tannicité enrobée. Longueur normale.