Chateau Branaire Ducru 2017
Product description
Branaire-Ducru 2017 has a lovely character. The nose is expressive, harmonious and complex, with good evidence of red fruits. With an immediate presence, the palate has fine, silky tannins. There is a wonderful freshness, due in no small part to the combination of moderate levels of alcohol and good levels of acidity, and this freshness gives a lovely lift to the astonishingly long finish. The 2017 vintage, which started under challenging conditions, has, in the end, has been made into a wine of character, true to the style of Branaire-Ducru and redolent of the great vintages.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, 6.5% Petit Verdot
94 Points - Vinous
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.
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
An elegantly structured wine, this is both juicy and packed with tannins. Ripe berry flavours are equally prominent in this balanced wine. The wine's future is promising...
92 Points - Wine Spectator
A polished style, with an aromatic mesquite note, draped over a core of plum and blackberry puree flavours. The finish lingers, with a mineral hint amid the fruit. Pure and aromatic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032.
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The deep purple-coloured 2017 Château Branaire-Ducru offers a fresh, focused, classic style in 2017. Beautiful spring flowers, black and blue fruits, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied effort that has nicely integrated acidity, a balanced, clean texture, and plenty of mid-palate depth. My money is on this ending up being an outstanding wine.
91 Points - James Suckling
Notes of raspberries and orange peel with tar on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh, lively finish. Pleasing young red. Better after 2021.
90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple in colour, the 2017 Branaire-Ducru gives up plum preserves, baked blackcurrants, kirsch and boysenberries with hints of earth, tobacco, herbs and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and clean with herbal sparks and a slight chew to the texture, finishing savoury.
