Château Branaire-Ducru 2024

Surprisingly ripe-fruited this year; plums, cherries, cassis, also charred wood; on the palate spicier and noticeably lighter-footed than in other years, slightly powdery tannins, fine acid spine; red-fruited and again spicy on the aftertaste. Built for medium maturity.

Great aromatics on the nose, perfumed and so vibrant – lovely raspberry and red cherry fragrance with soft herbal accents. Rose and violet notes too. Succulent and juicy with softly fleshy tannins. This is sleek and focused, but there’s energy and lift to this with an intense aromatic continuation. A little serious, sleek and straight, with some toasted edges and a strict finish, but such purity and focus while still keeping the Branaire charm. Some bitter orange acidity. Wonderful potential. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Ageing 55% new oak, usually more at 60%. 2% press, 3.58 pH. 62% grand vin production. Tasted three times. A yield of 41.5 hl/ha.

Flowery notes of red and black currants, mocha, spice, cedar, and tobacco are what you initially notice on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied, silky, elegant, and refined, with a core of fruits leaning towards the red side of the spectrum, showcasing cherry, red currant, and strawberry. Vibrant, though not excessively so, this is a silky, fresh, perfumed, classically styled Branaire Ducru. The purity here truly makes an impression. You can enjoy this with pleasure quite early in its life and count on at least 20 more years of enjoyment. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. 13% ABV. The harvest took place September 20 - October 9. Yields were large at 41 hectoliters per hectare. 62% of the harvest was placed into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2028-2052. 99-94 Pts

Brimming with fresh, crunchy red fruits, the bouquet is pure indulgence. Floral aromas of peony and a few mineral notes add definition. Supple, silky and refined, the palate shows a very fresh, intense texture, marked by tart small red fruits (morello cherry, redcurrant) and smoky, forest-floor notes. A serious wine.

Lovely, elegant, harmonious nose offering precisely judged creaminess, elegance and a discreet velvety touch. A pretty airy, floral side. Notes of violet, bright strawberry and bright blackcurrant, joined by touches of bright blueberry, hints of gently roasted small fruits, as well as delicate hints of graphene, minerality, pulpy blue plum, a touch of fleshy cherry, bergamot, infusion and Cubeb pepper. The palate is beautifully guided, fruity and indulgent, with a tangy spine, juiciness, precision, vibrancy and energy. On the palate, the wine expresses notes of bright blackcurrant, radiant blackberry and, more lightly, cornflower, joined by touches of violet, hints of juicy/fresh cherry and juicy/fresh raspberry, as well as hints of cornflower, chocolate, a touch of tonka bean, a discreet hint of lilac, racy minerality, cherry stem, bergamot and a discreet hint of graphene. Lovely mid-palate. A fine floral/lilac character with a discreetly sappy backdrop. Complexity, fine crunch and beautiful fruit quality.

Lovely bright plum colour, slim blue and black fruits, coffee bean and cedar oak notes, carefully constructed with balance, a little short on the finish compared to the excellent recent vintages at Branaire. 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.

Dark, intense, beautiful colour. Very aromatic nose, fruity, refined and subtle, evolving toward ripe fruit when the glass is swirled. Delicately fleshy on entry, with real class in the texture and a melting body, the wine glides through to a fragrant finish—utterly irresistible and very good. Excellent work. Tasted three times with very consistent results. Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 12.9% - pH: 3.58. Yield: 41.5 hl/ha. Production: 184,000 bottles.