2015 Château Branaire Ducru
The 2015 Château Branaire-Ducru is a wine of great elegance and remarkable aromatic richness. It perfectly reflects the exceptional terroir of Saint-Julien, and will captivate Bordeaux lovers with its harmonious balance, depth, and aging potential. It is an ideal choice for those seeking a sophisticated and memorable tasting experience.
Wine Estate: Château Branaire-Ducru
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Saint-Julien, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classé)
Color: Red
Format: 0.75 L bottle
Rating: 95 by Wine Enthusiast (2016 Vintage)
Description
The 2015 Château Branaire-Ducru is an exceptional red wine from the Saint-Julien appellation in the Médoc, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious regions. This vintage is highly appreciated for its balance, finesse, and complexity, hallmark traits of the Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé wines.
Blend
The 2015 Château Branaire-Ducru is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which provides structure, depth, and complex dark fruit and spice aromas. The wine may also include small proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, but Cabernet Sauvignon remains predominant in the blend.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: The wine presents a deep garnet-red color with purple highlights, indicating good concentration and optimal maturity.
Nose: The nose is elegant and complex, revealing ripe dark fruit aromas such as blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry. Notes of cedar, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, and dark chocolate blend harmoniously, reflecting well-managed oak aging.
Palate: On the palate, the wine is rich and well-structured, with fine, silky tannins. Dark fruit flavors are complemented by spicy touches, cacao, roasted coffee, and tobacco. The finish is long and persistent, with refreshing acidity balancing the wine’s richness.
Aging Potential
The 2015 Château Branaire-Ducru has excellent aging potential. While it is already enjoyable now, it will continue to evolve and gain complexity over the next 15 to 20 years, providing an enriched and evolving tasting experience.
Food Pairings
This Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted red meats such as ribeye steak, beef fillet, or duck breast. It also complements saucy dishes, game, and aged cheeses. Mushroom or truffle-based dishes will further enhance the wine’s aromatic complexity.