Chateau Branaire Ducru 2009 (1x75cl)

For the grand cru classe that carries the name of the estate, we seek to bring out the lavish complexity, the secret, clever balance that characterizes great Saint-Julien wines.

Rated 96 points by Jeb Dunnuck:

// One seriously sexy Saint-Julien, the 2009 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It offers a killer nose of crème de cassis, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and crushed flowers. This gives way to a full-bodied, incredibly layered, broad and expansive 2009 that has everything you could want from a top-flight Bordeaux. It’s already approachable, yet has the concentration to keep for another two decades. //

Rated 95 points by Wine Enthusiast:

// Very supple wine, with great richness and density. It is all so complete, a pleasure, powerful yet also with sweet opulent fruits layered with dark tannins. For long-term aging. //

Rated 94 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

// The 2009 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet color and reveals compelling notions of warm cassis, licorice, baked plums and hoisin with hints of sautéed herbs and pencil lead. Youthful and medium to full-bodied, it has a generous core of black fruits with a firm and grainy structure and bags of freshness, finishing long with great purity. //

Rated 94 points by James Suckling:

// Lots of black fruits with some bitter chocolate character give this plenty of appeal. However, it’s a seriously tannic wine that still needs time to fully resolve. Drink now with hearty food or hold. Wait until 2022. //

Rated 93 points by Wine Spectator:

// A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made. //