Château Branaire Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2012

Name: Château Branaire Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien
Brand: Château Branaire Ducru
Price: 57.06 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2009 2012 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024

justerini & brooks tasting note

This 4th Growth estate is capable of making exceptional St Julien; however, we wish it were a little more consistent. Patrick Maroteaux is one of the most charming propriétaire and his wines are usually sensibly priced. The 2012 is quite foursquare, with a bouquet of dark fruit and minerals. The palate is quite broad with aromas of hedgerow fruit, blackberry and sweet red fruits. It is a little bit simple, but okay.

critic reviews

91/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru is medium to deep garnet colored. It opens with notes of dried Provence herbs, damp soil, and tapenade over a core of redcurrant jelly and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate delivers youthful black fruits with a fine-grained texture and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

DRINKING WINDOW 2022 - 2032

date of review 02/2023

91/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru has a rather subdued bouquet compared to its peers and lacks the same joire de vivre as the 2012 Clos du Marquis. The palate is medium-bodied with a light grip on the entry, finely balanced with admirable purity. It suggests that the aromatics might be amidst a dumb phase because there is more brightness towards the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

DRINKING WINDOW 2022 - 2035

date of review 09/2022

90/100Robert Parker,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep ruby/purple, with sweet cranberry, mulberry and raspberry/blueberry fruit, this is always a distinctive St.-Julien and the 2012 has managed to avoid any of the hollowness or harsh tannins that can afflict some of the Medocs. It is elegant, well-made and an outstanding effort in this vintage. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.

DRINKING WINDOW 2015 - 2030

date of review 04/2015