CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE DUCRU

The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc picked from 28 September until 19 October at 50 hectoliters per hectare, one of the longest harvest periods at the estate. The nose is quite intense with black fruit infused with pencil shaving and a touch of tobacco, unashamedly classic in style, a little distant compared to some other Saint Juliens but undeniably well defined and full of character. The palate is structured and masculine, exerting a firm grip in the mouth, spicier than its peers with cracked black pepper complementing the black fruit, tobacco and smoke towards the structured finish. There is great length here, very persistent in the mouth, a little "rougher" in texture than others, but that will be smoothed out during élevage and in bottle. Give this Branaire-Ducru five or six years in bottle because it has great potential, one of the best produced at the estate in recent years. (NB This sample was taken from a new barrel, though the final blend will be 60%.) Drinking range: 2023 - 2050 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Juicy, savoury nose. Fresh and fine-boned. Could only be bordeaux – tant mieux! Silky texture with some energy. Drinking range: 2026 - 2043 Rating: 17 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)

A fresh bay leaf note leads off, followed quickly by pure, enticing layers of cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit that emerge steadily through the long finish. Offers lovely mouthfeel and purity. A very pretty expression of St.-Julien. Rating: 94-97 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2017)

This is clearly the best wine I have tasted from Branaire-Ducru. Exquisite depth and richness are on offer, yet this is always framed and focused. Layers of fruit and tannins. So deep and long. Incredible quality. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)

Always a supremely elegant, measured take on St-Julien that delivers in spades in 2016. Plush damson fruit comes through with just the right level of extraction. Beautifully rich, ripe fruit is joined by touches of oak at exactly the right moment. An exceptional showing from Branaire that rises above its 2015. Drinking range: 2027 - 2045 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2017)

Branaire-Ducru is gorgeous in 2016. A rush of inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, violet, lavender and dark spices give the wine its rich, textured feel. Gracious and nuanced, in the classic Branaire style, the 2016 possesses lovely depth and sensuality, with no hard edges and terrific overall balance. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral and spiced notes. Above all else, Branaire is a wine of finesse despite its considerable intensity. It is also arguably the most polished of the Saint-Juliens. Tasted two times. Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Comparatively closed at this stage, as it was in 2015, this is a firm, concentrated, structured wine that has its eye on the future rather than the present. Sturdy and dense, this is a wine to forget about for at least eight years. Drinking range: 2025 - 2032 Rating: 91 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Branaire-Ducru has a rather low-key, smudged bouquet featuring ample red fruit, yet missing the terroir expression of some of its peers; I would like more “oomph.” The palate is well balanced, quite graceful and poised, delivering lightly spiced black fruit, touches of pencil lead and a nicely detailed if not powerful finish. More approachable than its peers, yet noble. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drinking range: 2023 - 2055 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 1899)