2016 Chateau Branaire Ducru - 4eme Cru Classe St. Julien

Falstaff Magazin - 92pts - PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, dezente Randaufhellung, mit vegetalen Noten unterlegte Kirschenfrucht, deutliche Kräuterwürze. Mittlere Komplexität, dunkle Frucht, präsente Tannine, etwas Nougat im Abgang, mineralischer Nachhall.* - 05/2017

Vinum Magazin – 18/20pts: *Sehr zurückhaltend; auch hier findet man die umwerfende Frische des Jahres, den mineralischen Schliff der Tannine, die Rasse und Länge, diese genau richtige Machart, die Eleganz.* - 06/2019

Weinwisser - 17/20pts - GL: *Purpur mit satter Mitte und violettem Rand. Intensive Nase nach Cassisdrops und Brombeergrütze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit sehr engmaschigem Tanningerüst, der Körper wirkt malträtiert, feinspröde Textur mit blättrigen Noten, dazu Baumnuss und etwas Efeu im Rückaroma, gebündeltes Finale.*

JancisRobinson.com - 17/20pts - JR: *Juicy, savoury nose. Fresh and fine-boned. Could only be bordeaux – tant mieux! Silky texture with some energy.* - 04/2017

JamesSuckling.com - (95-96)pts - JS: *This is clearly the best wine I have tasted from Branaire-Ducru. Exquisite depth and richness are on offer, yet this is always framed and focused. Layers of fruit and tannins. So deep and long. Incredible quality.* - 04/2017

Vinous.com - (92-95)pts - AG: *Branaire-Ducru is gorgeous in 2016. A rush of inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, violet, lavender and dark spices give the wine its rich, textured feel. Gracious and nuanced, in the classic Branaire style, the 2016 possesses lovely depth and sensuality, with no hard edges and terrific overall balance. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral and spiced notes. Above all else, Branaire is a wine of finesse despite its considerable intensity. It is also arguably the most polished of the Saint-Juliens. Tasted two times.* - 04/2017
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Vinous.com – 93+ pts - AG: *The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is powerful, dense and explosive to a degree that is surprising for a wine that is typically much more sensual. There is lovely definition throughout, but readers will have to be patient to catch the 2016 at its very best. Hints of leather, smoke, tobacco and dried flowers begin to open up in the glass, but the 2016 is quite reticent at this stage. In two tastings I found the 2016 unusually closed. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what time brings.* Januar 2019

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (92-94)pts - NM: *The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc picked from 28 September until 19 October at 50 hectoliters per hectare, one of the longest harvest periods at the estate. The nose is quite intense with black fruit infused with pencil shaving and a touch of tobacco, unashamedly classic in style, a little distant compared to some other Saint Juliens but undeniably well defined and full of character. The palate is structured and masculine, exerting a firm grip in the mouth, spicier than its peers with cracked black pepper complementing the black fruit, tobacco and smoke towards the structured finish. There is great length here, very persistent in the mouth, a little "rougher" in texture than others, but that will be smoothed out during élevage and in bottle. Give this Branaire-Ducru five or six years in bottle because it has great potential, one of the best produced at the estate in recent years. (NB This sample was taken from a new barrel, though the final blend will be 60%.)* - 04/2017