2018 Chateau Branaire-Ducru Grand Cru Classe

2018 Chateau Branaire-Ducru Grand Cru Classe

2018 Chateau Branaire-Ducru Grand Cru Classe Very attractive aromas of currants, tile and sandalwood with black and red currants. It’s full-bodied with a tight, dense center-palate that remains closed in and tight. Yet there is underlying seriousness and length to this. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever made. Try after 2026. 97pts Suckling

The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is every bit as captivating as it was en primeur. Ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 a striking air of sensuality that only grows as the wine sits in the glass. Succulent red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and gravel inflections all open more over time. Even with all of its natural radiance, Branaire remains a model of grace. It is unquestionably one of the under the radar wines of the year. 96pts Vinous

The wines of the appellation of St-Julien on the left bank of Bordeaux have become the darlings of the red wine world. Prices have sky rocketed with huge Parker ratings and massive demand internationally for the style of these wines. The most under-valued of all is Chateau Branaire-Ducru, a 4^th Growth Grand Cru Classe in 1855, this wine rivals Leoville-Las Cases or Leoville-Barton but can be had for literally a third to a quarter the price. In 2018 Chateau Branaire-Ducru hit a grand a grand slam getting a monster 96pts by Vinous and 97pts by Suckling. Now we all know vintage in Bordeaux is vital and 2018 is one of the all-time greats going down with 2009, 2000, 1982, 1961 and 1945 as the best in the last hundred years. Other top wines from St-Julien are priced between one hundred and fifty and three hundred dollars a bottle in 2018. This wine is a steal. The wine is just entering its drinking window but can be enjoyed over the next twenty years. The wine is also a smart buy with its price slowly increasing with time. The wine has perfect provenance being professionally stored since inception. The Chateau is also in good hands with Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux with quality increasing. This is a wine on the up!. Definitely adding to my cellar, the wine is in country ready to ship. I strongly recommend on a myriad of levels.