Branaire Ducru St Julien 4eme Cru 2017

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Branaire Ducru
Label Name:
 
St Julien 4eme Cru
Vintage:
 
2017
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Julien, Médoc, Bordeaux
Volume:
 
1500ml
ABV:
 
13.2%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 24%, Petit Verdot 6.5%, Cabernet Franc 4.5%
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
3
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Selected critic scores: Vinous 94 (Antonio Galloni); Wine Enthusiast 94; Wine Spectator 92; Wine Advocate 89; Jancis Robinson 16+/20. (sources: critics' published reviews)

Tasting Note
A medium-bodied Saint‑Julien: red and black fruits (cassis, plum), floral violets, tobacco, cedar and graphite; fresh acidity, silky tannins and a savory, mineral-tinged finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, grilled ribeye, beef bourguignon, aged cheeses. Asian: Peking duck, char siu (Cantonese BBQ pork), Korean bulgogi/kalbi, Chinese red-braised beef, Japanese sukiyaki.

Production Method
Traditional Bordeaux vinification: hand-harvested, fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vats with ~3-week maceration; aged ~12–18 months in French oak (sample reports ~60% new).

Vineyard Info
Château Branaire‑Ducru is a historic 4ème Cru Classé (1855) in Saint‑Julien (≈60 ha). Owned and improved by the Maroteaux/Borie families; modernized since the 1990s with focus on finesse and gravel terroirs.