Branaire-Ducru 2017 has a lovely character. The nose is already expressive, harmonious and complex with good evidence of red fruits. With an immediate presence the palate has fine, silky tannins. There is a wonderful freshness, due in no small part to the combination of moderate levels of alcohol and good levels of acidity, this freshness gives a lovely lift to theastonishingly long finish. The 2017 vintage which started in difficult conditions, has, in the end allowed us to make a wine of character, true to the style of Branaire-Ducru and redolent of the greatvintages.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, 6.5% Petit Verdot.
Reviews:
- Wine Spectator: A polished style, with a perfumed mesquite note draped over a core of plum and blackberry puree flavors. The finish lingers, with a mineral hint amid the fruit. Pure and aromatic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032.
- Wine Enthusiast: An elegantly structured wine, this is both juicy and packed with tannins. Ripe berry flavors are equally prominent in this balanced wine. The wine’s future is promising;ars.
Producer Information
Chateau Branaire-Ducru’s 120 acres is located in the St. Julien region of France and has such famous neighbors as Cheateau Gruaud-Larose, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou and Chateau Beychevelle. The name, given by the former owner Monsieur Ducru, means “beautiful pebbles”. One of the main features of the vineyard is its richness in pebbles which contribute to the greatness of so many wines of the Medoc. Just before the war, the vineyard became run down and many Bordeaux critics felt it no longer deserved its rank as a Second Growth. During the Medoc Classification of 1855, the Chateau was rated as a Fourth Growth. In 1942 the Borie family purchased the vineyard completely revamped the vineyard and it began receiving top ratings amongst the Second Growths. Successive generations of the Borie family oversee all winemaking operations.
