Château Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2014 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Powerful nose of cedar and spices, with hints of pepper and creosote. Less vinous than others, but subtle in its tannin and aftertaste.

About the domain :

This cru, located just opposite Château Beychevelle, has been completely taken over by the Maroteaux family, who bought it in 1988. The wine, made from parcels spread over the entire appellation, requires rigorous blending, and a highly competent team. Its consistency is to be commended, as is that of the second wine, duluc.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The deep color shows youthful purple highlights. Intense and fine, the bouquet is divided between blackcurrant, cherry and spices (vanilla and liquorice), the legacy of 18 months in barrel. Round on the attack, the palate is supported by harmonious tannins with a velvety texture. A precise, well-constructed wine with enough substance to age gracefully.

About the domain :

Château (Directoire) and orangery (18th c.) with their pure lines, lovers of neo-classical architecture will be delighted by a visit to this beautiful estate, which rises on the hillside above Beychevelle. Composed of gravel, this is a prime terroir whose viticultural potential was recognized as early as the end of the 17th century, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre purchased the estate. Since 1988, the 60-hectare vineyard has belonged to the Maroteaux family, who have invested heavily to restore the estate to its former glory.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the domain :

A neighbor of Beychevelle, the château was bought in 1988 by a family group headed by Patrick Maroteaux; more than two-thirds of the 50 hectares planted are Cabernet Sauvignon and, in addition to Merlot and Cabernet Franc, some Petit Verdot. With the help of Philippe Dalhuin, technical director at the time, the wines became denser and more regular, without ever losing their soul. Philippe Dalhuin left for Mouton Rothschild in 2003, and was replaced by Jean-Dominique Videau, who has maintained his focus on quality ever since. New barrels, in particular, are always used sparingly.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

François-Xavier, son of the late Patrick Maroteaux, is now at the helm of this admirable estate. Branaire-Ducru has quietly climbed to the top and is now one of the Médoc's leading estates. In recent years, the château has benefited from first-rate technical equipment. Due to the nature of its terroir, Branaire-Ducru cannot produce a wine as full-bodied as those produced by the three Léovilles; it plays on a different register, with more finesse and suppleness, while ageing admirably. Recent vintages have reached a remarkable level.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Spicy, rich and full of ripe fruit, this wine has great potential. It is structured and dense, yet stylishly elegant. Blackberry dominates the tannins to create a wine that is both concentrated and fruity. Drink from 2022.

James Suckling

About the wine:

This is a slightly shy, medium-weight wine that is anything but flashy. If you have a little patience, it has plenty of subtlety and sophistication.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A wine a little less dense than others in appearance, but elegant, well-constructed, though not very expressive at this stage, but that's not a fault. Pure and straightforward. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It will evolve well over time.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Purplish purple. Fruity, spicy bouquet with elegant notes of cinnamon, licorice and a hint of caramel. On aeration, the fruit subtly reveals itself, with hints of dark berries. Crisp, creamy attack. On the palate, the wine is elegant and well-balanced. Subtle tannins reveal themselves on the finish, giving the wine a beautiful dimension. Only the fruity intensity is still behind, but given the material present, this is only a matter of time. 2022-2042

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Intense, dark color. Very aromatic nose, with fresh, ripe fruit. Slender, suave mouthfeel from the outset, tasty and delicately fatty in the middle. It evolves with great taste towards great length, without any tannic angle. A very good wine.