2005 Branaire Ducru

The 2005 Château Branaire-Ducru is more medium-bodied and elegant, yet it builds nicely with air, offering classic darker currants, cedary herb, leather, and sweet, floral notes in a medium-bodied, focused style that has a solid spine of acidity as well as ripe tannins. It’s balanced, has notable freshness, and is certainly in its prime drinking window, although it needs an hour in a decanter.

The 2005 Branaire-Ducru is really stepping up through the gears and is definitely worth seeking out. Deep in color, it has an exquisite definition on the nose: blackberry, cedar, wild mint and sous-bois. There is a vibrant energy to this 2005 that sets it apart. The palate is extremely well-balanced with crisp acidity. Tensile towards its pliant finish that has softened slightly in recent years. This vintage is perfect to drink now, though personally, I would afford it another three or four years in bottle.

I've had some bottle variation with this vintage of Branaire, and this bottle is a little subdued. There is clearly plenty of ripe fruits on display, but also tobacco, dried roses, soy, earth, clear tertiary notes. It is charming, with subtle and sappy balance, but very much in its drinking window. Patrick Maroteaux owner at the time.