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2015 Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (26%), Petit Verdot (5%), Cabernet Franc (4%)
Ready - youthful
(Drink 2021 - 2042)
- James Suckling
- 93-94/100
- Antonio Galloni
- 95/100
- Jancis Robinson MW
- 16+/20
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
- 90/100
- Georgie Hindle
- 91/100
- Neal Martin
- 92/100
Product: 20158003230
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Description
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc.
Patrick Maroteau's excellent 2015 from this Fourth Growth estate shows real purity, with great precision and ripe tannins that grip and offer an intense focus—the rich, fresh, spicy nose of damsons and blackberry fruit oozes class. There is precision here, a polish—quite simply harmonious. The wine tastes glorious, just as great wine should taste: crunchy, pure and fresh fruit, high acidity, silky ripe tannins and nice balance. This is a triumphant wine, with a typical and classic blend for this great estate and phenomenal length. It's really elegant and one of our favourites—a must-buy this year.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2015
Alcohol % 13.5%
Maturity Ready - youthful
(2021 - 2042)
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (26%), Petit Verdot (5%), Cabernet Franc (4%)
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château Branaire-Ducru
Critics reviews
James Suckling 93-94/100
This is very structured and tight with chewy polished tannins and blueberry, blackberry. Full and savory. Should develop beautifully.
Antonio Galloni 95/100
In 2015, the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in French oak, 60% new.
The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a gorgeous, totally sexy wine. Rose petal, lavender, mint, sweet red berries, and gently spiced notes give the wine much of its gracious, lilting personality. Precise and nuanced to the core, the 2015 Branaire is all class. It's easy to overlook Brainaire in the context of Saint-Julien, where most of the other important wines are much more powerful. Branaire always speaks with a hushed, discreet voice. Readers who appreciate finesse will find much to admire here. The 2015 is a wine of pure and total sensual pleasure. Don't miss it.
Drink 2020 - 2040
Jancis Robinson MW 16+/20
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc.
Pale to mid-crimson. It's quite evolved and complete. Sweet start and a bit scrawny. Some green notes. It's a bit all over the place. Round and resolved on the palate.
Drink 2023 - 2032
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW 90/100
Medium to deep garnet-purple in colour, the 2015 Branaire-Ducru has an earthy nose over a core of red and black currants with hints of tapenade, pencil shavings and sage. The medium-bodied palate is firm and chewy, with just enough fruit and a lively finish.
Drink 2019 - 2031
Georgie Hindle 91/100
Gorgeous nose of cinnamon, floral-edged black fruits and chocolate. Supple and juicy with crushed velvet-textured tannins. Acidity is good, given this round and mouthfulling character. I love the soft chew to the tannins underpinning the delicate yet bright strawberry, red cherry and pink floral elements. Crunchy and alive yet layered and persistent. It is not concentrated or weighty but has a lovely frame, depth, and energy.
Neal Martin 92/100
The 2015 Branaire-Ducru has a deep hue, almost opaque in the glass. The nose is quite precocious, more so than the previous bottle, with scents of black cherries, cassis and blood orange—energetic and focused, crushed violet scents surface with continued aeration. The palate is quite sweet. I just have one concern about the warmth of alcohol on the back palate, though that seems to be addressed by considering aeration, allowing it to coalesce and muster more composure, especially on the finish. Give it several years in bottle.
Drink 2028 - 2050
About this wine
Saint-Julien
St Julien is the smallest of the ‘Big Four’ Médoc communes although, without any First Growths, it is recognised to be the most consistent of the main communes with many châteaux turning out impressive wines year after year. The wines can be judged as much by texture as flavour, and there is a sleek, wholesome character to the best. At their very finest they combine Margaux’s elegance and refinement with Pauillac’s power and substance.
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