2020 Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Cabernet Sauvignon (58%),Merlot (32%),Petit Verdot (7%),Cabernet Franc (3%)
Not ready
- Neal Martin MW
- 92-94/100
- Antonio Galloni
- 94-96/100
- Jeb Dunnuck
- 92-94/100
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
- 91-93+/100
- Michael Schuster
- 91-93/100
- James Suckling
- 93-94/100
- Jane Anson MW
- 93/100
Product: 20208003230
Description
Cabernet Sauvignon 58%, Merlot 32%, Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc 3%
This is a beautifully polished example, as is standard now from this property. Yields here do not seem to have been overly affected; they are a relatively healthy 40 hl/ha. There is plenty of Merlot in the blend, expressed in a pure form, with notes of sloe berry. On the palate, the oak handling is stylish and nothing is overplayed. The finish has a twist of bitter cherry, adding further dimension and freshness to an elegant, considered wine.
Drink 2026-2042
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2020
Alcohol % 13.5
Maturity Not ready
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon (58%),Merlot (32%),Petit Verdot (7%),Cabernet Franc (3%)
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château Branaire-Ducru
Critics reviews
Neal Martin MW 92-94/100
The 2020 Branaire Ducru has a tightly wound bouquet of blackberry, wild hedgerow, freshly tilled loam and distinct sea spray scents, all well defined, albeit 15–20 minutes after opening my sample bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, and very cohesive, displaying a keen thread of acidity. Unlike previous vintages, there is impressive density on the midpalate where it once was a little lean, and plenty of energy and tension conveyed by the finish. Excellent. Drink from 2028 to 2048Neil Martin, Vinous.com (May 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
Antonio Galloni 94-96/100
The 2020 Branaire-Ducru is utterly magnificent. A wine of extraordinary depth and dimension, the 2020 possesses tremendous intensity right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, cloves and lavender build as into the explosive, palate-staining finish. I don't think I have ever tasted a Branaire quite like this. Drink from 2030 to 2050antonio_galloni, Vinous.com (June 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94/100
The 2020 Château Branaire-Ducru is vivid purple in color, with a classy, slightly exotic nose of blueberries, plums, violets, and orange blossom, and a kiss of marine-like iron emerging with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and focused on the palate, it’s not massive by any means yet shines for its balance, purity, and length.jeb_dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (May 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW 91-93+/100
The 2020 Branaire-Ducru displays a deep garnet-purple color and pronounced blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and boysenberries scents, plus hints of sautéed herbs, unsmoked cigars and graphite. The medium-bodied palate has a lot of verve, delivering appealing tension among the tightly wound black fruits and grainy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.Drink from 2024 to 2042Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (May 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
Michael Schuster 91-93/100
Pleasing nose, softly, freshly rich, subtly gravelly; very nicely balanced, medium-full, fresh to lively in acidity, very fine in tannin, a touch of the slightly “crisper” 2020 St-Julien style; but lovely red- and black-fruit flavor, mineral-infused, a gentle flesh at the core, a very restrained mid-weight style, with a beautiful texture, gravel-marked, and with excellent length. Beautiful wine, fine St-Julien.Drink 2030 - 2050Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine (May 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
James Suckling 93-94/100
A polished, creamy red with blue fruit, such as blackcurrants, and pretty, ripe and fine tannins that fill your mouth. james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (April 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
Jane Anson MW 93/100
Blueberry, blackberry, damson and hawthorn, this has juice and tannins with an elegance and really excellent St-Julien character; A lovely Branaire, well placed. Unfussy, this is still not overly exuberant but it has a real sense of sappiness, lift and sinew. 3% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.jane_anson_mw, Decanter (April 2021)
Drink 2028 - 2048
About this wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most famous red wine grape in the world and one of the most widely planted.
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Château Branaire-Ducru
Classified as a fourth growth in 1855, Ch. Branaire-Ducru makes pure and classic St Julien. The estate has recently passed from father to son: the widely respected Patrick Maroteaux – who had served at various times as president of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux and the St Julien appellation – sadly passed away in 2017. His son François-Xavier has picked up the baton and continues his father’s legacy. The Maroteaux family bought the property in 1988 and have invested considerably in the vineyard and winery since. Superstar consultant Eric Boissenot advises here, as he does with many of the Left Bank’s top estates, including the Médoc’s four first growths.
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Registered company 05492886. BB&R Limited, trading as Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3 St James's Street, London, SW1A 1EG. All rights reserved. You must be 18 or over to order. Calls may be recorded.
