Branaire Ducru - Saint-Julien 2016

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe8/13/2020

The 2016 Branaire-Ducru has a rather low-key, smudged bouquet featuring ample red fruit, yet missing the terroir expression of some of its peers; I would like more “oomph.” The palate is well balanced, quite graceful and poised, delivering lightly spiced black fruit, touches of pencil lead and a nicely detailed if not powerful finish. More approachable than its peers, yet noble. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Wine Enthusiast

95

byRoger Vossthe5/1/2019

The estate, at the southern end of Saint-Julien, has produced a wine that is both structured and stylish. This bold, ripe wine shows opulent black fruits and generous tannins. Juicy and structured, it has good aging potential. Drink from 2025.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

The 2016 Château Branaire-Ducru checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. This medium to full-bodied, downright pretty Saint-Julien has a complex, layered style in its mulberries, blackberries, saddle leather, and forest floor aromatics, with hints of graphite developing with time in the glass. Possessing terrific tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish, I’d certainly be happy to have bottles of this in the cellar. Give it a few years and it promises to shine for 20-25 years.

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039. 15,000 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

The best vintage of this wine since 2009! Effusive, fresh redcurrant and cassis aromas give this St.-Julien terrific drive and energy, the elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body, right through the long, agile finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 Branaire Ducru has a fragrant bouquet of plush blackberry and graphite aromas, hints of bilberry and briar developing in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is quite succulent and multilayered, offering supple tannin and gentle grip on the finish. Real potential here. One of the best Branaire Ducru in recent years. Chapeau!

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is powerful, dense and explosive to a degree that is surprising for a wine that is typically much more sensual. There is lovely definition throughout, but readers will have to be patient to catch the 2016 at its very best. Hints of leath smoke, tobacco and dried flowers begin to open up in the glass, but the 2016 is quite reticent at this stage. In two tastings I found the 2016 unusually closed. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what time brings. 93+

Vinum

18

byRolf Bichselthe5/23/2017

Wie immer sehr stilvoll, ungemein lecker, delikat, präzise, sehr, sehr lang, herrlich feinkörniges Tannin: klasse.

WeinWisser

17

byTjark Witzgallthe5/22/2017

Purpur mit satter Mitte und violettem Rand. Intensive Nase nach Cassisdrops und Brombeergrütze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit sehr engmaschigem Tanningerüst, der Körper wirkt malträtiert, feinspröde Textur mit blättrigen Noten,dazu Baumnuss und etwas Efeu im Rückaroma, gebündeltes Finale.

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Ensemble dense, très classique de fond et de forme, encore un peu discret. Il méritera peut être une note plus élevée en fin d’élevage car il semble plus complet à la naissance que le 2009 ou le 2010.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc picked from 28 September until 19 October at 50 hectoliters per hectare, one of the longest harvest periods at the estate. The nose is quite intense with black fruit infused with pencil shaving and a touch of tobacco, unashamedly classic in style, a little distant compared to some other Saint Juliens but undeniably well defined and full of character. The palate is structured and masculine, exerting a firm grip in the mouth, spicier than its peers with cracked black pepper complementing the black fruit, tobacco and smoke towards the structured finish. There is great length here, very persistent in the mouth, a little "rougher" in texture than others, but that will be smoothed out during élevage and in bottle. Give this Branaire-Ducru five or six years in bottle because it has great potential, one of the best produced at the estate in recent years. (NB This sample was taken from a new barrel, though the final blend will be 60%.)

Jean-Marc QUARIN

18

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017

Le meilleur jamais fait ! Couleur sombre, intense, belle, aux reflets noirs. Nez intense, fin, fruité, vanillé, profond, avec une note d’épices et de framboise. Très belle entrée en bouche extrêmement délicate. Le vin se met de suite à fondre avec un bel éclat fruité en milieu de bouche et beaucoup de goût. Riche, puissant, le vin s’achève sur une grande finale savoureuse, fraîche et noble. Un grand succès. Bravo !

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Spicy boysenberry and sweet cassis with licorice and a kiss of oak on the nose, this wine displays elegance and a natural goodness of fruit. Oddly it gives the impression of fading in the mouth but it’s all an illusion as the essence rushes back in and lingers. Produced from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.49% alcohol with a pH of 3.59. Harvesting took place from September 28 to October 19, which is the latest as well as the longest harvest in the history of Branaire Ducru. 

Vinous

92-95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

Branaire-Ducru is gorgeous in 2016. A rush of inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, violet, lavender and dark spices give the wine its rich, textured feel. Gracious and nuanced, in the classic Branaire style, the 2016 possesses lovely depth and sensuality, with no hard edges and terrific overall balance. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral and spiced notes. Above all else, Branaire is a wine of finesse despite its considerable intensity. It is also arguably the most polished of the Saint-Juliens. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(64 Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 Merlot, 6 Petit Verdot, 3 Cabernet Franc) | 13.5% alc. | 60% new oak A brilliant Branaire and one of the most shocking and memorable wines of the week, there are stunning aromatics here and a huge finish. This is a triumph for this estate and I love the way it gives the illusion of being a richer wine but it is a focussed, epically balanced creation. The nose is heroic and this alone warrants a huge score. That the finish is also sublime makes this one of the hidden gems of the Left Bank in 2016. 18.5+

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

Always a supremely elegant, measured take on St-Julien that delivers in spades in 2016. Plush damson fruit comes through with just the right level of extraction. Beautifully rich, ripe fruit is joined by touches of oak at exactly the right moment. An exceptional showing from Branaire that rises above its 2015. Drinking Window 2027 - 2045

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Juicy, savoury nose. Fresh and fine-boned. Could only be bordeaux – tant mieux! Silky texture with some energy.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. Superbly ripe and juicy, this is a solid, powerful wine that also is packed with black currant fruits. It is richly structured, concentrated and ready for long-term aging.

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18,5

byPhilippe Maurangethe4/13/2017

Jugés exceptionnels, les petits verdots ont été intégrés au grand vin, ils représentent 6% et donnent de la structure à ce vin imposant, mais aussi éclatant. Riche et à la fois précis en bouche, avec une finale qui déroule.

Wine Spectator

94-97

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

A fresh bay leaf note leads off, followed quickly by pure, enticing layers of cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit that emerge steadily through the long finish. Offers lovely mouthfeel and purity. A very pretty expression of St.-Julien.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is clearly the best wine I have tasted from Branaire-Ducru. Exquisite depth and richness are on offer, yet this is always framed and focused. Layers of fruit and tannins. So deep and long. Incredible quality.