Wine Advocate 89 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020 Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Branaire-Ducru gives up plum preserves, baked blackcurrants, kirsch and boysenberries with hints of earth, tobacco, herbs and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and clean with herbal sparks and a slight chew to the texture, finishing savory. Drinking Window : 2020 - 2030
Vinous 94 byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020 The 2017 Branaire-Ducru is all class and finesse. Bright and focused, the 2017 speaks with a clear, well-articulated voice. I especially like the energy here. Soft and understated in the classic Branaire style, the 2017 offers notes of red and purplish fruit intermingled with expressive floral and spice notes. The 2017 is such a pretty Saint-Julien. Tasted two times.
Wine Spectator 92 byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020 A polished style, with a perfumed mesquite note draped over a core of plum and blackberry puree flavors. The finish lingers, with a mineral hint amid the fruit. Pure and aromatic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032. 15,000 cases made. — JM
Jamessuckling.com 91 byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020 Notes of raspberries and orange peel with tar on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh, lively finish. Pleasing young red. Better after 2021.
Le Point 17 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 Fruits rouges, très juteux, vif, dense, tanins serrés, bon milieu de bouche, de la chair, droit, garde la note, sapide, long et élégant.
Jeb DUNNUCK 90-92 byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018 The deep purple-colored 2017 Château Branaire-Ducru offers a fresh, focused, classic style in 2017. Beautiful spring flowers, black and blue fruits, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied effort that has nicely integrated acidity, a balanced, clean texture, and plenty of mid-palate depth. My money is on this ending up being an outstanding wine.
Vinifera 94 byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018 Échantillon réducteur mais bouche très fine, élégante et fraîche, de très beau volume, veloutée, sensiblement vineuse sur la finale, extraite avec grand tact, très beau travail.
Vinous 91-94 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 The 2017 Branaire-Ducru offers lovely depth and density. The characteristic dark red/purplish fruit character of Brainaire comes through beautifully. As always, Branaire is a wine of polish and finesse. Stylistically, the 2017 comes across as a smaller scaled and more accessible version of the 2015. If that sounds appealing, well, it is. The 2017 is really quite lovely. Tasted three times.
The Wine Cellar Insider 92-94 byJeff Levethe5/11/2018 Tobacco, cassis, flowers and a hint of mocha dance in the nose. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is fresh, bright, sweet and soft. There is an extra bit of lift in the red fruits but the tannins are gentle enough to soften the brightness while adding structure and backbone for aging. Produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 6.5% Petit Verdot and 4.5% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.65. Harvesting took place September 13 to October 4.
Vinous 91-93 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Branaire Ducru was picked 13 September until 4 October over a three-week period, cropped at 39.6hl/ha. The alcohol here is 13.2°. The wine is aged in 60% new oak, which is how the sample was made. It has a harmonious bouquet with brambly black fruit, melted tar and tobacco scents, not powerful but precise. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, fine tannin, just a subtle savory note developing and merging nicely with the black fruit, hints of white pepper and cedar towards the poised finish that is quintessential Saint-Julien. There is an essence of drinkability about this Branaire-Ducru and I can imagine this being approachable after three to four years. This is a very fine Branaire-Ducru.
Wine Advocate 88-90 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018 The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Branaire-Ducru gives up notes of baked black berries, red cherries and mulberries with touches of potpourri and smoked meats. Medium-bodied with a lively line lifting the good concentration of red and black fruits, it has a chewy frame and grippy finish.
Decanter.com 89 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 A little tight, austere and hard to read. I tasted this on several occasions and each time it needed to be taken slowly, giving it time to unwind and to come out of its shell. There is a lovely richness to it that builds through the mid-palate, and the well expressed plum and blackberry fruit is soft. It's a balanced and elegant St-Julien, but just a touch underpowered. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038
Wine Enthusiast 91-93 byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018 Crisp fruit and intense acidity are the hallmarks of this bright wine. Its tannins are a backdrop to the nervy fruit character and vein of minerality and refreshing acidity. Drink from 2023.
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 This is very tight and focused with a precise depth of blackberry and blueberry fruit. Full body, melted tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. Shows a compacted style.
Wine Spectator 90-93 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 The plum and cherry paste flavors show good energy, with floral lift and sleek graphite accents adding to the sense of range and definition. Well done.—J.M.