Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2019

The precision and richness of a Saint-Julien Second Wine

The property

Classified Grand Cru in 1885, the Château Branaire-Ducru is one of the big names of the Saint-Julien appellation. Owned by François-Xavier Maroteaux, the son of the late Patrick Maroteaux, and run by Jean-Dominique Videau, the Château Branaire-Ducru produces, vintage after vintage, a superb expression of the great terroir of Bordeaux’s Left Bank with crus that are famous for their elegance, their smoothness and their velvety texture in the mouth.

The vineyard

The Château Branaire-Ducru vineyard stretches across 60 hectares, following an expansion of 10 hectares in 2009. The vines, on average 36 years old (but some are centennial), are planted on gravel-siliceous alluvial soils from the Quaternary period, known for being one of the warmest terroirs in the region, which allows late varieties to develop while ensuring perfect phenolic ripening.  

Part of the vineyard, as well as the young vines, are specially designated for the development of the Duluc de Branaire-Ducru cuvée, Château Branaire-Ducru’s second wine, an essential reference among the great wines of Saint-Julien.

The vintage

If the mild weather at the end of the winter fostered an early budburst, the cool and wet spring slowed down the growth, resulting in mixed flowering as well as coulures on some plots. The summer heat allowed the vine to catch up. Marked until the harvest, water stress was ideal to ensure an optimal ripening of the grapes. Starting on 19 September with enticingly rich and concentrated merlots, the harvests were punctuated by rainy episodes, fostering fine tannins and a moderate sugar content. Despite average yields, the health status is perfect and the harvested grapes are of great quality.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (52.5%)
Merlot (44%)
Petit Verdot (2.5%)
Cabernet franc (1%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2019

Tasting

Nose
Complex and expressive, the nose exhales fruity fragrances (dark and red fruit) supported by delicious spicy and subtly minty notes.

Palate
Full and round, the taste beguiles with its suppleness and its fruity, aromatic structure. The  finish lingers, harmoniously blending finesse with freshness.