Château Branaire-Ducru 2014

The 2014 Branaire-Ducru offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, suffused with tobacco and pleasant undergrowth aromas, perhaps just missing the precision of Beychevelle at the moment. The palate is supple on entry with a slightly grainy texture, the acidity well judged, a little edginess toward the finish that just needs more depth, more drive. Not bad for the vintage, although I would like to see some improvement in bottle. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Very pure and expressive, featuring lovely violet and cassis aromas and flavors that stream forth, backed by light anise and graphite hints. Maintains a fresh feel through the finish, with light minerality engaging with the fruit. Best from 2019 through 2028. 13,335 cases made.

Herbal nose, violets, blackcurrants, chocolate and exotic sweet spices; clove and cinnamon. Plump and fruit forward, this is confident and shines brightly out the glass. Round and nicely balanced, it's not at all heavy; you could say this is severe in its directness and forward focus on the palate, the flavours driving from start to finish. Tannins are super sleek but finely spiced so they just give the frame and edges while the fruit, soft chalkiness and minerality do most of the talking as opposed to the weight or the texture. Feels really well worked, nothing pushed too hard or too far. Nicely defined with direction and purity - everything in high definition. Just at the beginning of a lovely drinking period.

This is a slightly shy mid-weight wine that is anything but a flashy one. If you have some patience, though, it has plenty of subtlety and sophistication. Drink in 2021.

The 2014 Branaire Ducru is soft, polished and super-inviting. Succulent red cherry, plum, lavender, spice and mint give the wine its attractive, open-knit personality, while silky tannins add to an overall impression of sensuality. The 2014 should drink well with minimal cellaring. Today, it is among the most accessible of the Saint-Juliens.

Peppery black currants, a touch of mocha, cedar, tobacco leaf and herbs create the nose and the core of the palate. Medium-bodied, fresh, zesty and spicy, the finish is crisp and refined. Drink from 2022-2040.

I was disappointed not to be able to taste the 2015 from this estate, but the 2014 Branaire-Ducru showed well from a bottle purchased locally. Revealing a deep ruby/plum color and forward, sexy notes of black cherries, plums, leather, dried tobacco leaves, and cedarwood, it offers impressive depth and density for the vintage, beautiful balance, and a rich, layered texture that has it already drinking nicely. It can be drunk anytime over the coming 20 years.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet hues on the rim. Rarely has a Branaire shown such a dark color en primeur. Ripe bouquet, almost creamy in its fullness, the fruit suggests elderberry and cassis notes. On the palate, firm, with balanced astringency and a terrific aftertaste. This year, there are very few Grands Crus that top their own 2010 performance with the 2014 vintage. I confidently give this brilliantly successful Branaire a high score. That would also mark the end of a long dry spell without purchases.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, lilac hue on the rim. Rarely has a Branaire in primeur shown such a dark color. Ripe bouquet, almost suggesting a creamy richness, with notes of elderberry and blackcurrant. On the palate it’s firm, with balanced astringency and a great aftertaste. This year, there are very few Grands Crus that top their own performance from 2010 with the 2014. I’m confidently assigning this brilliantly successful Branaire a high score. That would also mark the end of a long dry spell in purchasing.

The 2014 Branaire-Ducru is medium to deep garnet in color. Fragrant scents of kirsch, candied violets, and fallen leaves drift gently from the glass, with hints of Sichuan pepper and black olives in the background. The medium-bodied palate is all class, with great tension and fine-grained tannins framing the elegant perfumed fruit, finishing minerally. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.

Powerful nose, focused on cedar and spices, with notes of pepper and creosote; less vinous than others but subtle in its tannin and follow-through on the palate.

The vintage is in fine form and once again delivers a wine of beautiful harmony. Silky yet intensely flavorful and persistent, this is a very fine classic built for ageing.

A wine that appears a little less dense than others, yet elegant and well built, although it is expressing little at this stage—but that is not a flaw. It aims for purity and precision. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It will evolve well over time.

Intense garnet red. An elegant, filigreed bouquet that reveals its élevage with restraint. The fruit is also well represented, resulting in a nose we can describe as balanced. The attack is fruity and gourmand. On the palate, the wine is elegant with medium intensity. A beautiful harmony between the tannins and the structure that ideally supports the fruit. A flavorful wine that can already be enjoyed but has potential.

Beautiful dark, intense color. Highly aromatic nose with fresh, ripe fruit. Sleek and suave on the attack, flavorful and delicately unctuous mid-palate. It develops with great taste into a long finish with no tannic edges. It’s very good.

Spicy, rich and full of ripe fruit, this wine has great potential. It is structured and dense while bringing out a stylish elegance. Blackberry fruit dominates the tannins to create a wine that has both concentration and fine fruit. Drink from 2022.