Château Branas Grand Poujeaux 2013

Deep colour, fine cassis nose, good supple fruit with a little spice, balance and length, good wine.

The 2013 Branas Grand Poujeaux has a surprisingly delightful nose with pretty, understated red fruit laced with orange rind. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, orange zest and a light tang of marmalade. Decent depth on the finish, still fresh; drink now and enjoy this well-made 2013. Tasted at the Branas Grand Poujeaux vertical at the château.

Medium deep ruby red. Floral nose with ripe red fruit, fresh berries, a mild spiciness and discreet wood. Good grip on the palate, rather rounded and supple with fine but young tannin, good freshness and attractive fruit in a rather Burgundian style. Fine oak integration and medium towards long finish. Well balanced in a classic mid weight style, drinks pretty well today, should age well too.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, with a ruby rim. Sweet, almost compote-like bouquet, showing plenty of ripe cherries and already well-integrated roasted notes, surprisingly full. On the palate, juicy and supple, again showing a lovely sweetness in a velvety extract, with an aromatic, cohesive finish. Among the very best Cru Bourgeois. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of those this year.

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. Sweet, almost stewed-fruit bouquet, showing lots of ripe cherries and already well-integrated roasted notes, surprisingly full-bodied. On the palate, juicy and soft, once again showing a great sweetness in the velvety extract, with an aromatic, seamless finish. Among the very best Cru Bourgeois. And sadly, there aren’t many of those this year.

(50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot) Fragrant, sweet, spicy bouquet, blackberries, leather, tobacco, cassis. Balanced, velvety, powerful palate with very good fruit, fine tannins, powerful, spicy aromatics, long, full finish. 17/20 2019 - 2034

The 2013 Branas Grand Poujeaux is deep garnet in color. It needs a little swirling and coaxing to reveal notions of Morello cherries, preserved plums, and dark chocolate, with suggestions of dried mint, forest floor, and cumin seed. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely purity and freshness, featuring well-played tannins and an impressive amount of elegant fruit layers on the finish.

A lovely wine with skillful oak, full of charm.

A beautiful overall impression, a fruity nose, a tasty palate, delicately mellow, with flavor, freshness, and polished tannins. It’s good and it’s an Outsider! A cru now recommended by Hubert de Boüard.