Château Branaire Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2008
Branaire's vineyards once belonged to the Beychevelle estate. Now seperated by the D2, Branaire Ducru hold the same status as a 4th growth. The 2008 shows lots of cool fruit, mineral and floral charachter on the nose. The palate is full of damson and brambly fruit. Not at stylish as Beychevelle, but a good precise effort none the less.
critic reviews
The 2008 Branaire Ducru has a clean and fresh bouquet with mulberry, blackcurrant pastilles, and subtle hints of eucalyptus that are all detailed and focused, if missing the complexity of more recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with thickset tannin, quite dense black fruit with a touch of cassis. I like the atypical density of this 2008 although I would like more panache and personality to shine through. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)