Château Branaire DuCru 2009

The 2009 Château Branaire-Ducru is a distinguished red Bordeaux from the Saint-Julien appellation, classified as a Fourth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. This vintage is notable for its exceptional balance and depth, reflecting the favorable conditions of the year.

Tasting Notes:

• Aroma: The bouquet reveals enticing notes of warm cassis, licorice, baked plums, and hints of sautéed herbs and pencil lead. 

• Palate: On the palate, it presents a medium to full-bodied profile with a generous core of black fruits. The structure is firm and grainy, complemented by refreshing acidity. The finish is long, showcasing great purity and subtle complexity. 

Critical Acclaim:

• Jeb Dunnuck: 96 points. He describes it as "another killer wine from this vintage that’s drinking spectacularly well at age 10," highlighting its "huge nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and even a hint of forest floor." 

• Wine Advocate: 94+ points. Notes the wine's "compelling notions of warm cassis, licorice, baked plums," and emphasizes its "firm and grainy structure and bags of freshness." 

• Wine Enthusiast: 95 points. Commends its "great richness and density," describing it as "powerful yet also with sweet opulent fruits layered with dark tannins." 

• James Suckling: 94 points. Highlights "lots of black fruits with some bitter chocolate character," noting its "seriously tannic" nature that "still needs time to fully resolve."