Classic St. Julien, Modern Finesse: Branaire-Ducru

Château Branaire-Ducru stands as one of Saint-Julien’s most consistent and quietly brilliant Fourth Growths—a château prized by insiders for its balance, purity, and unmistakable Left Bank character.

Situated on prime gravel soils bordering Beychevelle and Ducru-Beaucaillou, Branaire-Ducru excels at producing wines that capture the very essence of Saint-Julien: Cabernet-driven structure, polished tannins, and a seamless harmony between power and finesse. Under the long stewardship of Patrick Maroteaux, the estate has undergone meticulous vineyard and cellar improvements, resulting in wines of remarkable precision and aging potential.

In the glass, Branaire-Ducru offers classic aromas of cassis, black cherry, graphite, and cedar, accented by subtle notes of violets and tobacco. On the palate, the wines are poised and refined—never over-extracted—showing freshness, layered complexity, and a graceful finish that evolves beautifully with time. These are wines that reward both early enjoyment and long-term cellaring, making them ideal for collectors who value versatility as much as pedigree.

Often overshadowed by more famous neighbors, Branaire-Ducru represents one of Bordeaux’s best values among classified growths. It delivers authentic Saint-Julien character vintage after vintage, without excess or artifice.

Whether you are building a cellar, filling gaps in a mature collection, or simply seeking a classic claret that overdelivers, Château Branaire-Ducru is a choice you can make with confidence.

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Producer	Vint.	Wine	Price	Qty	Order
		Bordeaux Red
Ch. Branaire-Ducru	2005	St. Julien (12x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$1,362.97	1
	WA 95 (4/2008): As usual, the 2005 Branaire-Ducru is one of the more distinctive wines of St.-Julien. Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has turned out another classic. While not as opulent or fleshy as the 2003, and it remains to be seen if it will eclipse the 2000, the 2005 is a big, structured, intensely rich effort with raspberry, blueberry, and spring flower garden characteristics, stunning purity, full-bodied power, and good underlying acidity as well as harmony. The hard tannins suggest 8-9 years of cellaring will be beneficial; it should last for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.   VM 94 (4/2021): The 2005 Branaire-Ducru is a gorgeous, super-expressive wine that captures all of the natural radiance of the year. Black cherry, leather, spice, cedar, tobacco and scorched earth envelop the palate, framed by silky tannins that give this supple Saint-Julien so much charm. The 2005 is a very easy wine to drink and enjoy today, but it's got the stuffing to develop beautifully for years to come. Antonio Galloni.   WS 92 (3/2008): Very floral, showing blueberry, licorice and mineral on the nose. Full and very silky, with beautifully polished tannins. Long and caressing. This is always very well done and good value for the quality. Best after 2010.
	2008	St. Julien (12x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$1,100.97	1
	VM 91+ (3/2014): (68% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc 3.75 pH; 13% alcohol): Deep red with a pale rim. An intense underbrush quality complicates cassis and coffee aromas on the complex nose. Then fruitier on the palate, with red cherry and musky plum flavors lifted by herb, coffee and earthy nuances. Brisk acidity and youthfully chewy tannins leave an impression of austerity on the long, dry finish. Although this is an Outstanding example of the 2008 vintage's classical style, I liked this a lot more during the Primeurs: currently, it's in a dumb phase. Don't touch a bottle for another five years at least; less opulent than usual, this Branaire-Ducru is built to last. The grapes were harvested between September 30 and October 15.
	2009	St. Julien (12x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$1,328.97	1
	WA 96 (2/2012): Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035.   JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.   VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle.   WS 93 (3/2012): A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made.   NM 92 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Branaire Ducru ‘09 seems more forward than other wines, a touch of VA informing the sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly jammy redcurrant and cranberry fruit laced with soy. The finish is missing some of the tension and purity of its peers although it appears to meliorate in the glass.
	2009	St. Julien (6.0 L) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$1,088.97	1
	WA 96 (2/2012): Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035.   JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.   VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle.   WS 93 (3/2012): A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made.   NM 92 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Branaire Ducru ‘09 seems more forward than other wines, a touch of VA informing the sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly jammy redcurrant and cranberry fruit laced with soy. The finish is missing some of the tension and purity of its peers although it appears to meliorate in the glass.
	2016	St. Julien (12x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$804.97	1
	WS 96 (3/2019): (WS #16 wine of 2016) The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039. 15,000 cases made.   JS 95 (1/2019): The best vintage of this wine since 2009! Effusive, fresh redcurrant and cassis aromas give this St.-Julien terrific drive and energy, the elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body, right through the long, agile finish. Drink or hold.   JD 92+ (2/2019): The 2016 Château Branaire-Ducru checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. This medium to full-bodied, downright pretty Saint-Julien has a complex, layered style in its mulberries, blackberries, saddle leather, and forest floor aromatics, with hints of graphite developing with time in the glass. Possessing terrific tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish, I’d certainly be happy to have bottles of this in the cellar. Give it a few years and it promises to shine for 20-25 years.
	2017	St. Julien (3x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$196.99	5
	VM 94 (3/2020): The 2017 Branaire-Ducru is all class and finesse. Bright and focused, the 2017 speaks with a clear, well-articulated voice. I especially like the energy here. Soft and understated in the classic Branaire style, the 2017 offers notes of red and purplish fruit intermingled with expressive floral and spice notes. The 2017 is such a pretty Saint-Julien. Tasted two times. Antonio Galloni.
	2018	St. Julien (3x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$196.99	4
	JS 97 (1/2021): Very attractive aromas of currants, tile and sandalwood with black and red currants. It’s full-bodied with a tight, dense center-palate that remains closed in and tight. Yet there is underlying seriousness and length to this. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever made. Try after 2026.   VM 96 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is every bit as captivating as it was en primeur. Ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 a striking air of sensuality that only grows as the wine sits in the glass. Succulent red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and gravel inflections all open more over time. Even with all of its natural radiance, Branaire remains a model of grace. It is unquestionably one of the under the radar wines of the year. Antonio Galloni.   JD 94 (3/2021): A beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2018 Château Branaire-Ducru reveals a deep purple color as well as ample, earthy cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with sous bois, earth, lead pencil, and cedar. With that classic Saint-Julien pure fruit, sumptuous aromas and flavors, sweet yet present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity, it's going to need 5-7 years to hit maturity yet should keep for 20-25 years or more. I don't think it's going to match the blockbuster 2009 (it's more in the pretty, elegant style of the 2016), but it's a gorgeous, elegant wine you will love to have in the cellar.   WS 94 (3/2021): Pure and driven, with expressive cassis and plum puree aromas and flavors carried by a graphite edge and backed with applewood, licorice root and tobacco notes. Lovely energy throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2037. 18,000 cases made.   WA 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an upfront, expressive nose of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries with an undercurrent of dried mint, spice box and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs a very pleasant fruit wallop, featuring juicy black fruits and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lovely purity.
	2018	St. Julien	$59	1
	JS 97 (1/2021): Very attractive aromas of currants, tile and sandalwood with black and red currants. It’s full-bodied with a tight, dense center-palate that remains closed in and tight. Yet there is underlying seriousness and length to this. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever made. Try after 2026.   VM 96 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is every bit as captivating as it was en primeur. Ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 a striking air of sensuality that only grows as the wine sits in the glass. Succulent red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and gravel inflections all open more over time. Even with all of its natural radiance, Branaire remains a model of grace. It is unquestionably one of the under the radar wines of the year. Antonio Galloni.   JD 94 (3/2021): A beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2018 Château Branaire-Ducru reveals a deep purple color as well as ample, earthy cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with sous bois, earth, lead pencil, and cedar. With that classic Saint-Julien pure fruit, sumptuous aromas and flavors, sweet yet present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity, it's going to need 5-7 years to hit maturity yet should keep for 20-25 years or more. I don't think it's going to match the blockbuster 2009 (it's more in the pretty, elegant style of the 2016), but it's a gorgeous, elegant wine you will love to have in the cellar.   WS 94 (3/2021): Pure and driven, with expressive cassis and plum puree aromas and flavors carried by a graphite edge and backed with applewood, licorice root and tobacco notes. Lovely energy throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2037. 18,000 cases made.   WA 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an upfront, expressive nose of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries with an undercurrent of dried mint, spice box and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs a very pleasant fruit wallop, featuring juicy black fruits and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lovely purity.
	2019	St. Julien	$53.95	2
	WA 95 (4/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants, sweet soil tones and hints of cigar wrapper, rose petals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's youthfully tightly wound, with terrific concentration, tangy acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. While this is a little reserved out of the gates, its energy and classical proportions will richly reward bottle age.   JD 94-96 (6/2020): Beautiful blue fruits, tobacco, damp earth, and floral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Branaire-Ducru. It's medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, has silky tannins, and shows the quality of the vintage perfectly. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more. It reminds me of the 2009.   VM 94 (2/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru is one that I was eager to re-taste in bottle. Deep in color, it has a very well-defined nose of tightly packed dark berries, the tobacco element less obvious than before, and slightly more floral, with light sous-bois notes developing with aeration. The 60% new oak is neatly integrated. The palate shows real vivacity and tension on the entry and delivers crunchy black fruit, touches of blue fruit and a little iodine. Sappy from start to finish, this has a real saline tang that urges you back for another sip. There is definitely is more substance compared to previous vintages, and I wager that this represents the best Branaire-Ducru in recent years.
	2019	St. Julien (6x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$351.97	1
	WA 95 (4/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants, sweet soil tones and hints of cigar wrapper, rose petals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's youthfully tightly wound, with terrific concentration, tangy acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. While this is a little reserved out of the gates, its energy and classical proportions will richly reward bottle age.   JD 94-96 (6/2020): Beautiful blue fruits, tobacco, damp earth, and floral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Branaire-Ducru. It's medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, has silky tannins, and shows the quality of the vintage perfectly. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more. It reminds me of the 2009.   VM 94 (2/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru is one that I was eager to re-taste in bottle. Deep in color, it has a very well-defined nose of tightly packed dark berries, the tobacco element less obvious than before, and slightly more floral, with light sous-bois notes developing with aeration. The 60% new oak is neatly integrated. The palate shows real vivacity and tension on the entry and delivers crunchy black fruit, touches of blue fruit and a little iodine. Sappy from start to finish, this has a real saline tang that urges you back for another sip. There is definitely is more substance compared to previous vintages, and I wager that this represents the best Branaire-Ducru in recent years.
	2020	St. Julien (3x750ML) ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.	$206.97	1
	JD 93+ (3/2023): Showing beautifully, the deeper purple/ruby-hued 2020 Château Branaire-Ducru offers a deep, masculine bouquet of blackcurrants, plums, smoked tobacco, and iron. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, nicely balanced Saint-Julien with plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.   WA 91-93+ (5/2021): The 2020 Branaire-Ducru displays a deep garnet-purple color and pronounced blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and boysenberries scents, plus hints of sauteed herbs, unsmoked cigars and graphite. The medium-bodied palate has a lot of verve, delivering appealing tension among the tightly wound black fruits and grainy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.   JS 93-94 (4/2021):  A polished, creamy red with blue fruit, such as blackcurrants, and pretty, ripe and fine tannins that fill your mouth.
	1989	St. Julien	$100		Sold Out
	2009	St. Julien	$109		Sold Out
	2022	St. Julien	$59		Sold Out