Château Branaire Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2017

The pick of the St Julien UGC. Branaire Ducru is on a roll. Refined and classy, the 2021 displays a suave core of bright raspberry coulis and griotte fruit, vibrant, good mid-weight flavours, stylish and nicely textured. A more modern take for Branaire, this has plenty of guts and is framed by some ripe, well-judged tannins. Excellent effort. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 5.5% Petit Verdot.