2022 Chateau Branaire Ducru - 4eme Cru Classe St. Julien

Decanter.com – 97 pts – GH: *One of the standouts of the vintage that impressed equally on three different occasions. Fragrant and expressive on the nose, lovely scents and dark fruits. Smooth and crisp, silky but concentrated, such precision and detail straight away with succulent and juicy acidity. There’s concentration no doubt, it’s ripe and intense, the dark perfumed blackcurrants and black cherries give a serious backbone and tension to the wine, while the minty, stony freshness carries the flavour and gives the energy and definition. Excellently weighted on the palate, with structure and a mouthwatering sensation that comes in once the weight settles. So well constructed with a beautiful texture and overall integration of all the elements. Exceptional quality and drinkability on offer with a delicious salty, graphite and flint finish that puts you at the estate. Overlook this at your peril. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.65pH. Harvest 12 - 24 September. 60% grand vin production. A yield of 34hl/ha. Tasted three times. This vintage was the first to be made 100% in the new cellar with double the number of vats than were available in 2020 for more precise fermentations. HVE3 certified. Harvest 12 September - 24 September.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Schwarze Kirschen, feine Kräuterwürze, Orangenzesten und Lakritze sind unterlegt. Saftig, gute Extraktsüße, reife Herzkirschen, frisch strukturiert, Nugat im Abgang, zeigt Länge, Charme und Potenzial.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 19/20 pts: *Unglaublich vielschichtige, fruchtige Aromatik; grosse Rasse, unglaubliche Tanninqualität, grosse Spannkraft und Länge: superber Wein, der uns buchstäblich die Sprache verschlägt.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 18,5/20pts – GL, TW: *60.5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5 % Merlot, 5.5 % Cabernet Franc, 2.5 % Petit Verdot, 34,5 hl/ha. Delikates rot- und blaubeeriges Bouquet, betörendes Irisparfüm und Heidelbeergelee. Am komplexen, sehr geradlinigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, vibrierender Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und perfekt durchtrainiertem Körper. Im ungeheuer präzisen, feinaromatischen Finale rote Johannisbeere, Sandelholz und feinkörniger Extrakt. Hat dieses Jahr eine unglaublich starke Leistung abgeliefert. Glückwunsch an François-Xavier Maroteaux und sein Team!* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 16+/20pts – JL: *60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Slight reduction but a touch of blackcurrant leaf as well. Gourmand fruit with plenty of matière but this sample a little edgy. Touch of oak on the palate, the finish tough and chewy. Should improve.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – AG: *The 2022 Branaire-Ducru is a powerhouse, almost unnaturally so for this Saint-Julien, which is usually a more understated wine. A blast of dark plum fruit makes a pretty strong first impression. Licorice, cloves, spice, menthol and chocolate fill out the layers. Readers should expect a concentrated, virile Saint-Julien with compelling aromatic presence. In this warm, low-yielding vintage, Branaire is quite the brooding powerhouse. It will be interesting to see if more finesse develops in time. Impressive. Tasted two times.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – NM: *The 2022 Branaire Ducru was harvested from 12-24 September at 34.5hL/ha, the blend representative of their vineyard plantings. This feels refined and focused on the nose with plush red berry fruit, dried rose petals and orange rind scents. Classic Branaire. The palate is fresh on the entry with pliant tannins. It's very well structured to the degree that it conveys a sense of symmetry. Lightly spiced toward the finish with notes of graphite lingering on the aftertaste, this represents an excellent Branaire Ducru that will age over many years and will surely appeal to those seeking more classical Saint-Julien. Tasted three times and was more impressive each time. Branaire-Ducru continues its upward trajectory under proprietor François-Xavier Maroteaux. 14.3% alcohol.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *Deep in color, the wine displays its bouquet of flowers before getting to all of its dark, red fruits, spice, mocha, nutmeg, vanilla, and black cherries. While the aromatics are enticing, it is on the palate, with all of its silky-textures, creaminess, energy and most importantly, purity of fruit and concentration that provides you with the best part of the experience. The finish has never been this defined, elegant and concentrated in any previous vintage of Branaire Ducru. This is an entirely new level of quality here. Clearly, this is the best vintage of Branaire Ducru ever produced! The wine blends 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. 14.3% ABV, 3.65 pH. The harvest took place September 12 - September 24. The yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2060.* - 05/2023