Chateau Branaire Ducru 2015

17 RENÈ GABRIEL: "Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Pflaumiger Bouquetansatz, dezent laktischer Anflug, zeigt eine gute Tiefe an. Im Gaumen mit viel Kirschen aufwartend, eine leicht florale Note im Extrakt aufweisend, hat Fleisch und Potential, aromatisches Finish. Neigt zur Klassik." 94 WINE ENTHUSIAST: "93–95. Barrel Sample. Concentrated tannins meet seamless line of juicy black currant on the palate. The structure is firm and tight, finishing with a lift of acidity." 93 JAMES SUCKLING: "More open than many 2015 St.-Juliens at this stage in spite of the firm, dry tannin structure behind the bright cassis. The tannins need some integration, but with some patience (from 2021 or 2022), this will become a rather fine wine." 93 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Tobacco, cedar and plump red and black fruits start off the nose. Ripe, soft tannins, purity of fruit and perfect balance are the hallmarks of this wine. Clarity and sweetness of the fruit, the freshness and elegance with the ability to age make this a strong vintage for Branaire Ducru . Produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon , 26% Merlot , 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc , this wine reached 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.64. The harvest took place from September 18 to October 4. 92 - 94 Pts" 92-94 ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2015 Branaire-Ducru is deep, fleshy and delicious. Radiant, open-knit and endowed with a total sense of class, the Branaire hits all the right notes. A striking mélange of dark red and purplish fruit, wild flowers, hard candy, mint, spice and new leather makes a strong opening statement. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. Branaire is one of the freshest, most perfumed Saint-Juliens of the vintage. As such, it is a wine of pure pleasure and sensuality, not to mention a terrific example of the year. Tasted three times." 90-92 THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2015 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 18 September until 8 October, with two or three intervals in between. Matured in around 60% new oak (although as usual my barrel sample was from a new oak barrel), it has a high-toned, black cherry and cassis scented nose that perhaps feels a little constricted by the new wood in this sample, though not necessarily once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, white pepper and a touch of sage, gritty tannin, foursquare and a little conservative. There is commendable weight on the finish, if not quite the precision compared to its peers. I noticed this gaining more cohesion in the glass, which bodes well for once the Branaire-Ducru is in bottle. I expect this to rest at the top of my banded score." Drink: 2020 - 2040 - Neal Martin.