Duluc de Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2018 - Second vin
Bordeaux
Red
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
Wooden crate
91/100
RVF
-
91/100
Decanter
-
1*Étoile
Hachette
-
90/100
The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve
"Lots of charm and gourmet goodness!"
"Sweet blackcurrant perfume on the nose with a touch of medicinal herbs. Juicy and supple, with lots of freshness and a lovely bouncy mouthfeel, but also density in the tannins, which are still a little full-bodied. Excellent structure, full and very approachable on the palate with expansive, well-defined black and bramble fruits. Deep notes of mint spice, licorice, aniseed and clove. Very good typicity, easy to drink and enjoy, still on the young side." (Decanter) - Delivery in wooden cases possible for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on country and shipping method selected).
Features
Estate
Château Branaire-Ducru
Cuvée
Duluc
Vintage
2018
Designation
Saint-Julien
Region
Bordeaux
Grape varieties
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Terroirs
Deep quaternary gravel soils over clay and silica
Viticulture
Reasoned (HVE 3 certified)
Harvest
At optimum maturity
Winemaking
Using the same criteria and attention to detail as Château Branaire-Ducru. 3-week vatting in stainless steel, temperature-controlled vats of different sizes, adapted to each parcel.
Breeding
In French oak barrels
Alcohol content
14%
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Deep color
Nose
Already expressive and complex, it develops on ripe fruit, enhanced by fine spices. On aeration, pleasant fresh notes give it a beautiful dynamic.
Mouth
The attack is very round, with discreet hints of ageing adding spicier touches. It then reveals a lovely acidity that supports a well-constructed whole. The finish is very lively, with a lovely fresh length.
Serve
AT 15-16°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2024
Drink before
2030
Production
120 000 bottles
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with coquelet and potatoes, minced beef with mushrooms, Comté or Saint-Nectaire cheese...
Château Branaire-Ducru
Saint-Julien
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (2022 guide) 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
Wine rated 91/ 100
About the wine:
Sweet blackcurrant perfume on the nose, with a touch of medicinal herbs. Juicy and supple, with plenty of freshness and a lovely bouncy mouthfeel, but also density in the tannins, which are still a little full-bodied. Excellent structure, full and very accessible on the palate with expansive, well-defined black and bramble fruits. Deep notes of mint spice, licorice, aniseed and clove. Very good typicity, easy to drink and enjoy, still on the young side. 2023-2026
Guide Hachette des vins
Wine rated (guide 2022) 1*Star (Very successful wine)
Domain rated (guide 2022) Award-winning wines (The wines of this producer are regularly awarded by the guide)
About the wine:
A wine on the reserve on the nose, but very balanced on the palate, sappy and fresh, with a nice tannic structure and a long finish of red fruits. 2024-2030
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
Domain rated 4*Stars (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 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
Domain rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2022 guide) 91/100
Domaine rated (2022 guide) 2*Stars (These great estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves which, because of their consistency and the excellence of their production, must be included in the cellars of discerning wine lovers).
About the wine:
Duluc plays on the beautiful greediness of a round, seductive yet tonic palate. It's already opening up, but will last a few years without batting an eyelid.
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.
The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve
Wine rated (2019 guide) 90/100
About the wine:
Ready to drink on release, the wine is medium-bodied, elegant and charming, with an emphasis on freshness, purity and supple tannins, finishing with sweet notes of kirsch and black cherry.
Customer reviews
Customer rating
4.2/5
on 5 reviews
Note and review by M. FRANCOIS D. Published on 23/04/2024
See all reviews from this customer
Note and review by Mme MARIE D. Published on 12/04/2024
See all reviews from this customer
Note and review by M. GILBERT R. Published on 15/02/2024
See all reviews from this customer
Note and review by M. JED D. Published on 17/12/2023
See all reviews from this customer
Note and review by M. JEAN FRANCOIS B. Published on 16/11/2023
See all reviews from this customer
Buy your Branaire-Ducru wines at the best price on private sale!
Free on your 1st order*.