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. //
