Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru)
St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Julien, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep purple/garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, graphite, dry organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+.
Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), Merlot (or based blend) or Tempranillo (or based blend) from France, the United States or Spain. But the oak is French so unlikely to be from Spain and I think this leans more towards its structure so I’m taking this to France. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet-Sauvignon-based blend from France, from Bordeaux, from the Haut-Medoc, 2015. I’ll take it. Tasty stuff. Drink now through 2049.
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep purple/garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, graphite, dry organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+.
Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), Merlot (or based blend) or Tempranillo (or based blend) from France, the United States or Spain. But the oak is French so unlikely to be from Spain and I think this leans more towards its structure so I’m taking this to France. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet-Sauvignon-based blend from France, from Bordeaux, from the Haut-Medoc, 2015. I’ll take it. Tasty stuff. Drink now through 2049.
Blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and smoky cedar notes, aged 12 months in 60% new barrels. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and smoky spice. Fine grainy tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, starting to drink now, will age a few more years to really enjoy!
Blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and smoky cedar notes, aged 12 months in 60% new barrels. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and smoky spice. Fine grainy tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, starting to drink now, will age a few more years to really enjoy!
Nov 18th, 2024
Deep purple with blueberry nose to match. All around delicious. Misses a 93 due to slight underripeness that presents on the finish. Will improve with time.
92+ points
Deep purple with blueberry nose to match. All around delicious. Misses a 93 due to slight underripeness that presents on the finish. Will improve with time.
92+ points
Dark ruby hue. Notes of bell pepper, blackberry, blueberry, bramble, and tar. Medium-high tannins and acidity. Rich, round tannins. Well-balanced. 56 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 5 Petit Verdot, 4 Cabernet Franc.
Dark ruby hue. Notes of bell pepper, blackberry, blueberry, bramble, and tar. Medium-high tannins and acidity. Rich, round tannins. Well-balanced. 56 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 5 Petit Verdot, 4 Cabernet Franc.
Nov 12th, 2023
1/13/23: $54 Binnys
T: peppery, not tannic, young, gravel finish
D: plummy taste, grassy notes
1/13/23: $54 Binnys
T: peppery, not tannic, young, gravel finish
D: plummy taste, grassy notes
