2025, Château Branaire-Ducru, SAINT-JULIEN, 4ème Grand Cru Classé

4th growth 1855The 2025 is 62% Cabernet Sauvignnon, 26% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. A classic Saint Julien château that produces wines of real St Julien class and structure. Voluptuous dark fruit, cedar and a touch of tar on the nose. Medium to full-bodied with an expressive yet concentrated profile, a precise structure and fine-grained, high quality tannins. Chiseled and balanced. 96-97 James Suckling.Intense, knitted down with grilled cumin and cloves, sappy dark fruits, appellation typicity, an especially enjoyable Brainaire. 60% new oak, François Xavier Maroteaux owner. 2034-2044. 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.The 2025 Branaire-Ducru is a powerful wine with a darker fruit profile than most years. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and liquorice open first. Floral overtones and brisk acids reappear to perk up the close. A clean, vibrant finish rounds things out in style. This is such a gorgeous and expressive wine. The 2025 is quite simply a fabulous Branaire. Tasted twice. 2035-2065 94-96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.