Château Branaire-Ducru 2020

Shows notable finesse already on the nose, with delicate berry notes; crystal-clear attack, particularly elegant development, slender yet tense, polished tannins, exquisite length; a great wine that doesn’t need to flex its muscles.

This has a lovely floral lead followed quickly by a very pure and precise beam of cassis and bitter plum fruit. Shows ample structure but this is fine-grained and almost silky in feel, while subtle dark tea, savory and iron notes peek through on the lengthy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. 12,000 cases made, 1,800 cases imported.

Sleek and seductive, quite highly charged with such a potent perfume and black bramble fruit aroma on both the nose and palate. Silky, smooth, suave and confident, this is a supremely gorgeous wine. Not weighty as such, but there is intensity in the layers of fruit and acidity with a cool, refreshing core underpinned by salty stones and liquorice elements. Elegant and refined, pulsing with energy, charm, delicacy and detail.

Plenty of blackberry, blueberry, lead pencil and violet aromas here that follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. So integrated and polished. Changes a lot in the glass. Thoughtful young red. Try after 2027.

Cask sample. Bramble fruit plus tomato leaf and herbs. Finely tannic, giving a smooth texture. Finishes with a lovely violet scent. Pristine fruit that ends with dark, savoury persistence. (RH)

Quite perfumed, the complex nose offers cigar box, tobacco, spearmint, wet earth, mocha, spice, black currants and dark cherry aromas to get things going. Medium/full-bodied with a silky, fresh, refined character to its layers of ripe, sweet, mildly-spiced, red pit fruits on the palate, the finish is complex, as well as refined and currently discreet. Clearly, this is one of the top vintages from Branaire Ducru that fans of the estate should definitely have in their cellar. Drink from 2026-2055.

Strong ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Hints of nougat, black cherries, blackberries, some plums, sweet spices in the background, inviting bouquet. Substantial, ripe cherries, pleasant fruit sweetness, ripe, integrated tannins, fresh acidity, finely savoury and elegant, mineral finish, certain ageing potential. (2028-2045).

Floral and elegant with plenty of wild berries, cassis, fine oak, and tobacco. Very good volume, rounded and silky with ultra-fine tannins, crushed raspberry and fine spice flavours, with a long, lingering finish—really nicely done.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: fresh, silky, peppery bouquet, cassis, damsons, fresh herbs. Silky, medium-bodied palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, delicate, creamy structure, sweet aromatics, long, fresh finish.

Fresh, silky, peppery bouquet, cassis, damsons, fresh herbs. Silky, medium-bodied palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, delicate, creamy structure, sweet aromatics, long, fresh finish. 17/20 2025 - 2040

Firm tannins, medium-intensity colour, austere tannins, but a lovely depth to the cassis and blueberry fruit, balanced and finessed with deft and confident control exerted by the tannic architecture. As it opens, a seductive creaminess arrives with blackberry, tobacco and grilled sandalwood oak. Great St Julien balance.

The 2020 Branaire-Ducru is deep garnet-purple in color. Pure scents of blackcurrant jelly, crushed black plums, and Bing cherries spring from the glass, leading to nuances of bay leaves, graphite, black olives, and cedar. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular, delivering crunchy black and red fruit layers with a fine-grained texture and bags of freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

Here is a very lovely classic, well crafted and highly refined. The palate is straight and precise, driven by fresh fruit, with great length and plenty of style. A great buy that will age well.

What brilliance, depth and freshness in the bouquet of this Branaire Ducru 2020! The wine seems more assertive than ever, with notes of red berries, licorice and a touch of sweet spice. Dense yet subtle on the attack, the wine perfectly embodies this estate’s ability to shine with the finesse and elegance of its wines. There has never been any desire to overdo it with this wine, rightly so. Yet it has always received all the attention it needs to stand out for its subtlety. A great success!

93–95. Barrel Sample. Rich, juicy and with dense tannins, this wine is full of generous blackberry fruit flavor. The tannins and impressive structure are what show promise for the future. Expect this wine to age well.