2010 Branas Grand Poujeaux
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Branas Grand Poujeaux is fresher and more vigorous on the nose than the 2009: blackberry, raspberry, singed leather and minty aromas unfurling with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, cedar and black pepper intermixes with light ferrous notes, though here there is more precision on the finish compared to the 2009. Very fine - perhaps the first to realize the full potential of the estate even if it was ultimately surpassed. Tasted at the Branas Grand Poujeaux vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Branas Grand Poujeaux has a ripe and generous bouquet with a mélange of red and black fruit, undergrowth and sandalwood scents. I appreciate the purity here. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins. Good weight with strong graphite notes towards the finish. Out of barrel this came across as a tad over-ripe - it seems to have done a volte-face and almost resembles an archetypal “Englishman’s Claret”! Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.
Made of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2010 Branas Grand Poujeaux is deep garnet in color and opens with scents of leather, cigar box and dusty soil with a background of stewed plums and cassis plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fair amount of chew supporting vague plums and stewed blackberries notes, finishing a little rustic.
Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Very mature aromas of undergrowth but lots of sweet spice too. Fully mature but still some old-claret pleasure here and the tannins have slimmed down. But it is past its peak, I think. (JH)