Branaire Ducru - Saint-Julien 2018

Vinous

96

par Antonio Galloni le 31/03/2021

The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is every bit as captivating as it was en primeur. Ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 a striking air of sensuality that only grows as the wine sits in the glass. Succulent red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and gravel inflections all open more over time. Even with all of its natural radiance, Branaire remains a model of grace. It is unquestionably one of the under the radar wines of the year.

Wine Advocate

93

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 31/03/2021

The 2018 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an upfront, expressive nose of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries with an undercurrent of dried mint, spice box and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs a very pleasant fruit wallop, featuring juicy black fruits and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lovely purity.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

par Jeb Dunnuck le 16/03/2021

A beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2018 Château Branaire-Ducru reveals a deep purple color as well as ample, earthy cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with sous bois, earth, lead pencil, and cedar. With that classic Saint-Julien pure fruit, sumptuous aromas and flavors, sweet yet present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity, it's going to need 5-7 years to hit maturity yet should keep for 20-25 years or more. I don't think it's going to match the blockbuster 2009 (it's more in the pretty, elegant style of the 2016), but it's a gorgeous, elegant wine you will love to have in the cellar.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

par Jeff Leve le 16/03/2021

Showing better from the bottle than in barrel, the wine is loaded with black and red berries, smoke, mocha, flowers and coffee bean. Elegant, refined, silky and fresh, the fruit offers this gorgeous sense of purity from the start continuing straight through to the vibrant, red berry packed finish. Fans of Branaire-Ducru should be all over this gem. The wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous

93

par Neal Martin le 12/03/2021

The 2018 Branaire-Ducru was picked from September 19 until October 10 at 53hl/ha and is currently being aged in 60% new oak. It has retained the sophisticated bouquet that I found last year, featuring beautifully defined blackberry and cedar and hints of iris flower and rose petals. The palate is well defined with good density and backbone, something that you could argue was missing from Branaire-Ducru in the 1990s and early 2000s. It gently fans out on the finish but never wants to create too much of a commotion – that’s not its style. This indicates a property that is finding a new lease on life. Excellent.

Wine Spectator

94

par James Molesworth le 01/02/2021

Pure and driven, with expressive cassis and plum puree aromas and flavors carried by a graphite edge and backed with applewood, licorice root and tobacco notes. Lovely energy throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2037. 18,000 cases made. –JM

Falstaff

94

par Peter Moser le 29/01/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Schwarze Beeren, etwas Marzipan und Nougat, frische Kirschen, dezenter Edelholztouch. Komplex, dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, feine Tannine, extraktsüß im Abgang, ein zarter schokoladiger Ton im Nachhall, zeigt gute Länge, wirkt leichtfüssig und zugänglich. (2020 - 2040)

Yvesbeck.wine

96

par Yves Beck le 26/01/2021

Le bouquet de Branaire 2018 se révèle de manière filigrane, étape par étape. Je relève cette aptitude à créer la symbiose entre fraîcheur et ampleur d'un point de vue olfactif. C'est bien entendu la finesse qui donne le ton en bouche, une particularité pertinente et persistante de Branaire. Les tannins, eux, sont concrets, serrés et assurent brillamment les arrières en compagnie de la structure. Que de précision et d'évidence dans ce vin. Grande réussite !

Jamessuckling.com

97

par James Suckling le 12/01/2021

Very attractive aromas of currants, tile and sandalwood with black and red currants. It’s full-bodied with a tight, dense center-palate that remains closed in and tight. Yet there is underlying seriousness and length to this. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever made. Try after 2026.

Decanter.com

92

par Jane Anson le 12/01/2021

WeinWisser

17

par Tjark Witzgall le 07/05/2019

Vinifera

92

par Jacques Perrin le 01/05/2019

Très élégant, parfum civilisé, classique, beaucoup de finesse, crémeux au nez et en bouche, subtil, fin, précis, salinité sur l'allonge, sinueux, très bon, très Branaire.

Vinous

93-96

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2019

The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is fabulous. Bright, lifted and impeccably precise, the 2018 is one of the best recent Branaires I can remember tasting. The 2018 is distinguished by its vertical lift, striking aromatic intensity and exceptional balance. Lavender, rose petal, gravel, mint and sweet red/purplish berry fruit are all given an extra kick of textural richness. More than anything else, I was blown away by the wine's density and precision. The 2018 is dazzling. There's not much else to say. Well, except the obvious question, which is why is Branaire not at this level every year? The 2018 is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

par Jeff Leve le 23/04/2019

Like a cushion cut ruby with its facets reflecting violet around the rim, the wine opens with a perfume of flowers and black raspberries and mocha, spice and tobacco leaf appear effortlessly. On the palate the wine is bright, fresh, silky and even creamy. The fruit shows a strong floral spirit that gracefully marries into the crème de cassis. The wine remains balanced and fresh with no touch of heat in the high-degree of ripeness. This will be among the best vintages of Branaire ever produced. The wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.6. The Grand Vin was produced from 60% of the harvest and the picking took place from September 19 to October 10.

Wine Advocate

92-94

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 23/04/2019

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Branaire-Ducru begins just a tad reduced with broody tar, rubber and fried herbs scents giving way to a fragrant core of warm cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry coulis with touches of smoked meats and tobacco. Full-bodied, firm and rugged in the mouth with brawny, muscular fruit and a sturdy frame of grainy tannins, it finishes long and savory.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96

par Roger Voss le 17/04/2019

This is a dense wine that is built by firm tannins, bright acidity and great fruitiness. Its structure is fully integrated into the blackberry fruits that give a rich wine that has a fine future.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

par James Suckling le 12/04/2019

This is a fantastic Brainaire with deep and dark fruit, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Lots of raspberries, too. Full-bodied with firm and creamy tannins and a super long finish. We will see if it’s better than 2016, but on its way.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

94

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 08/04/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97

par James Molesworth le 03/04/2019

This is well-packed, with blueberry, açaí and blackberry fruit flavors and licorice snap and fruitcake notes. Long and refined despite the copious fruit, showing polish and poise through the finish.

Decanter.com

93

par Jane Anson le 03/04/2019

Branaire-Ducru has managed to produce an exceptionally balanced and refined St-Julien in a year when that was not the easiest task. Depth and complexity is clear, although it's just a little held back right now. The architecture is such that there are walls to scale and depths to plumb, but with less generosity overall. 53hl/ha yield. Drinking Window 2027 - 2040