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Tasting Notes

Tasting notes
FINE+RARE, Apr 2025

There’s a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than normal in the 2024 Branaire Ducru – fruit that they held out to pick at superb maturity, as is clear from the perfumed nose. The palate is dominated by ripe red fruit, with well-rounded tannins that coat the mouth, balancing the backbone of nervy acidity. 13% alcohol and 3.58pH. Aged in 55% new oak. Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot

Critic Scores

Critic scores
92
92/100

Average Score

91
90-92/100

William Kelley, Wine Advocate

91
91/100

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

More reviews and scores

90 - 92 points
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Score 90-92/100 · William Kelley, Wine Advocate, Apr 2025

The 2024 Branaire-Ducru offers up a pretty and precise bouquet of cassis, violets and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, supple and suave, with polished tannins and tangy acids, it's a fine-boned, delicate wine from Branaire that was harvested between 20 September and 9 October. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.8% alcohol, and it's being raised in a touch less new oak than usual.

91 points
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Score 91/100 · Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, Apr 2025

Lovely bright plum colour, slim blue and black fruits, coffee bean and cedar oak notes, carefully constructed with balance, a little short on the finish compared to the excellent recent vintages at Branaire. 55% new oak. 41.5 hl/ha, this is the first vintage with the new cellars, François-Xavier Maroteaux owner and new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

90 - 92 points
Neal Martin, Vinous
Score 90-92/100 · Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr 2025

The 2024 Branaire Ducru was cropped at a respectable 41.5 hl/ha between September 20 and October 9. It has a delightful bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents percolating through with time. There's just a touch of iodine in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, pretty black fruit laced with cassis and touches of white pepper. There is an elegant framework on the finish so that this Saint-Julien slips down the throat with ease, as I am sure it will once in bottle. Whilst this does not reach the heights of the 2022, this is destined to be a very delicious Branaire Ducru.

About the producer

Château Branaire-Ducru - producer
Branaire Ducru

This Fourth Growth estate, just a stone’s throw from the wide expanse of the Gironde estuary, has been revitalised under the stewardship of former banker and businessman Patrick Maroteaux, who purchased the property in 1988.

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Product details