Château Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This cru, located just opposite Château Beychevelle, has been completely taken in hand 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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Elegant and seductive, it is highly charged with a powerful perfume and black bramble aroma on the nose and palate. Silky, smooth, suave and confident, this is a supremely gorgeous wine. It's not heavy as such, but the layers of fruit and acidity are intense, with a fresh, refreshing core underpinned by salty stones and licorice elements. Elegant and refined, it brims with energy, charm, delicacy and detail. 2025-2040

Guide Hachette des vins

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 an ideal terroir, whose viticultural potential was recognized as early as the end of the 17th century, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre bought 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.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Branaire-Ducru 2020 was so seductive en primeur, but it's very shy today. That said, some of the exuberance of youth has given way to Branaire's characteristic finesse. Dark red cherry, spices, roasted herbs, menthol and licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. Sweet floral and spicy notes enhance the finish nicely. The 2020 will need the better part of a decade to reveal itself. 2026-2045

James Suckling

About the wine:

Plenty of blackberry, blueberry, lead pencil and violet aromas that follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins that extend throughout the wine's length. Very well integrated and polished. A thoughtful young red. To be tried after 2027.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Branaire-Ducru has always stood out for its finesse! Of course, this doesn't prevent it from asserting and underlining its Bordeaux nature, but in a style of its own to which we pay close attention. The bouquet evokes floral and fruity notes, all with finesse of course! The wine has body, depth and tannins that form a fine framework, with that magnificent notion of quiet strength! Branaire is a slender weightlifter capable of running 400 meters with her weights. What a magnificent achievement, what tannic precision, what relevance! A great Branaire-Ducru! 2026-2047

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, fresh, racy and offers a lovely identity of the terroir and style for which the estate is renowned. There are notes of fresh/pulpey blackberry, strawberry and, more lightly, bright redcurrant, combined with touches of bright cherry, fine blueberry, hints of zan, flowers, sweet spices, a subtle hint of fresh hazelnut and a discreet touch of timut pepper. Elegant on the palate, with a lovely burst of fruit, greediness, delicacy, juiciness and acidity, tension, fine definition, a fine content, richness (but with control/delicacy), fine structure, delicacy, concentration, power (but with finesse) and lovely fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright/fresh raspberry, fleshy/juicy strawberry and, more lightly, fresh blackberry, combined with touches of juicy/fresh berries, as well as hints of blueberry, racy minerality, fine hints of lilac, graphite, sweet spices, a subtle touch of vanilla and toasted almond. Elegant, mellow tannins. Fine chewiness, greediness/sapidity on the persistence. A lovely wine! Congratulations!

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Quite fragrant, the complex nose offers aromas of cigar box, tobacco, spearmint, damp earth, mocha, spice, blackcurrant and black cherry. The medium-bodied, silky, fresh and refined palate features layers of ripe, sweet and slightly spicy red stone fruit, and the finish is complex, refined and currently understated. This is clearly one of Branaire Ducru's finest vintages, and one that fans of the estate should absolutely have in their cellars. Drink between 2026 and 2055.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Beautiful nose of violets, fresh fruit, floral and gourmand. Fresh, delicate bouquet. Despite the slight touch of wood, the palate is full and perfectly balanced, with silky tannins and a remarkable coating. Tension and freshness on the finish. The qualitative rise of this estate continues unabated.