Château Branaire-Ducru has been a mainstay on Bordeaux’s Left Bank AOC of St. Julien since 1680. Their gravelly soils, a half kilometer from the Gironde River provides the perfect terroir for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and making some of the finest value Bordeaux on the market.

Branaire-Ducru is classic Left Bank Bordeaux through and through, and 2018 is shaping up to be a truly phenomenal vintage – particularly in St Julien (Lisa Perrotti-Brown noted that “Saint-Julien was the most consistent of the major communes in 2018.”).

Wine Spectator (Range: 94-97)
This is well-packed, with blueberry, açaí and blackberry fruit flavors and licorice snap and fruitcake notes. Long and refined despite the copious fruit, showing polish and poise through the finish.

Wine Enthusiast (Barrel Sample: 94-96)
This is a dense wine that is built by firm tannins, bright acidity and great fruitiness. Its structure is fully integrated into the blackberry fruits that give a rich wine that has a fine future.

James Suckling (Barrel Sample: 95-96)
This is a fantastic Brainaire with deep and dark fruit, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Lots of raspberries, too. Full-bodied with firm and creamy tannins and a super long finish. We will see if it’s better than 2016, but on its way.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Barrel Sample: 92-94)
The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Branaire-Ducru begins just a tad reduced with broody tar, rubber and fried herbs scents giving way to a fragrant core of warm cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry coulis with touches of smoked meats and tobacco. Full-bodied, firm and rugged in the mouth with brawny, muscular fruit and a sturdy frame of grainy tannins, it finishes long and savory.

Decanter (Barrel Sample: 93)
Branaire-Ducru has managed to produce an exceptionally balanced and refined St-Julien in a year when that was not the easiest task. Depth and complexity is clear, although it’s just a little held back right now. The architecture is such that there are walls to scale and depths to plumb, but with less generosity overall. 53hl/ha yield. Drinking Window 2027 – 2040.