Château Branaire Ducru - Saint-Julien 2018

WeinWisser

17 / 20

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 / 100

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.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-18,5 / 20

le 24/04/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

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 / 100

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 / 100

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 / 100

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 / 100

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 08/04/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

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 / 100

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