Branaire Ducru St Julien 4eme Cru 2021

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Branaire Ducru
Label Name:
 
St Julien 4eme Cru
Vintage:
 
2021
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
12.9%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 66%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 6.5%, Petit Verdot 5.5%.
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Representative critic scores: Wine Advocate 93–94 (William Kelley) ; Vinous ~93; James Suckling 94–95; Decanter 94; Jeb Dunnuck ~92. (Notable reviews and scores: sources summarized)

Tasting Note
Blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with notes of violet, graphite, menthol and baking chocolate; medium‑full, velvety texture, bright acidity and a saline, persistent finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses (Comté, Cheddar). Asian: Peking duck, char siu, beef bulgogi/galbi, mushroom hot pot, Cantonese roasted pork.

Production Method
Hand‑harvested, parcel‑by‑parcel gravity‑fed fermentation in temperature‑controlled stainless tanks (maceration up to ~3 weeks), malolactic in tank; aged ~18 months in French oak (≈60% new). Bottled at the château.

Vineyard Info
4ème Cru Classé (1855) in Saint‑Julien; ~60 hectares, average vine age ~35 years; owned by the Maroteaux family (Patrick Maroteaux led improvements; François‑Xavier Maroteaux now manages).