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

Bordeaux

Red

Sold individually

To keep

96/100

Yves Beck

-

95-96/100

Vert de Vin

-

95+/100

Vinous

-

95/100

James Suckling

-

95/100

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

-

95/100

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

-

95/100

Decanter

fruity
complex
red meat
grand cru classé
haute couture

"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 a great deal of 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! This is a great Branaire-Ducru " ( Yves Beck 2022).

Features

Estate

Château Branaire-Ducru

Cuvée

4ème Grand Cru Classé

Vintage

2020

Designation

Saint-Julien

Region

Bordeaux

Grape varieties

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc

Terroirs

Quaternary gravelly-siliceous alluvial soils

Viticulture

Traditional and meticulous

Harvest

Manual

Winemaking

Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 26-28°C, maceration for approximately 3 weeks.

Breeding

18 months in barrels (60% new)

Tasting & pairing

Eye

Intense ruby, clear and brilliant

Nose

Clean, bright fruit scents, black and red, blueberry, wild strawberry, gourmet blackberry, light floral and herbaceous notes, finesse.

Mouth

Chewy attack, beautiful structure of tannins, lots of delicacy, flavors of raspberry, strawberry, menthol, light aromas of toasted hazelnut, mineral length, slightly salty, beautiful gourmandise.

Serve

AT 17-18°C

Open

2 hours before

Drink from

2026

Drink before

2040

Guard

2045

Food and wine pairing

Food and wine pairing

Enjoy with roast veal, double-cooked duck foie gras, tarte flambée...

Château Branaire-Ducru

More information on Château Branaire-Ducru

Saint-Julien

More information on Saint-Julien

Expert opinion

Bettane & Desseauve

Bettane & Desseauve

Domaine rated (guide 2022) 4*Stars (Top-quality producers, the glories of French winegrowing)

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.

Decanter

Decanter

Wine rated (guide 2023) 95/100

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

Guide Hachette des vins

Domaine noté (guide 2022) Award-winning wines (The wines of this producer are regularly awarded by the guide)

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 choice terroir, whose viticultural interest was first recognized at 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.

Gault & Millau Wine Guide

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

4* star rating (top-quality production)

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 then technical director Philippe Dalhuin, the wines have become denser and more consistent, 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

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

Domaine noté Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)

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

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

Domaine rated (guide 2022) 2*Stars (These great estates, often endowed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves which, thanks to their consistency and the excellence of their production, must be included in the cellars of discerning wine lovers).

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

Vinous A. Galloni

Wine rated (guide 2022) 95+/100

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. Gentle 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

James Suckling

Wine rated (guide 2023) 95/100

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

Yves Beck

Rated wine (guide 2022) 96/100

About the wine:

Branaire-Ducru has always stood out for its finesse! Of course, this doesn't prevent it from asserting and emphasizing 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

Vert de Vin

Rated wine (guide 2021) 95-96/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)

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 hints of 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, gourmandise, delicacy, juiciness and acidity, tension, fine definition, 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

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

Wine rated (guide 2023) 95/100

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.

Anthocyanins - Yohan Castaing

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

Rated wine (guide 2021 ) 95/100

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.

Customer reviews

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