2024, Château Branaire-Ducru, SAINT-JULIEN, 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Last year EP $71.00-

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.

The 2024 Branaire-Ducru offers up a pretty and precise bouquet of cassis, violets and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, supple and suave, with polished tannins and tangy acids, it's a fine-boned, delicate wine from Branaire that was harvested between 20 September and 9 October. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.8% alcohol, and it's being raised in a touch less new oak than usual.
90-92 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

Lovely bright plum colour, slim blue and black fruits, coffee bean and cedar oak notes, carefully constructed with balance. 55% new oak. 41.5 hl/ha, this is the first vintage with the new cellars, François-Xavier Maroteaux owner and new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux. Drink 2030-2042.
91 Jane Anson.

Mid ruby colour. The nose here is fresh, full of thyme, cedar and red berry fruit. The palate is built on al dente tannins and crunchy fruit. This is a sinewy, floral wine in 2024, finishing with herbs and wood spice in equal measure.
89-91 Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2025