Chateau Branaire-Ducru

A fourth Grand Cru Classé, Château Branaire-Ducru has crafted some quite remarkable wines over the course of its vintages. Located on the Beychevelle plateau just a kilometre away from the Gironde estuary, Château Branaire-Ducru is surrounded by vines that cover almost 60 hectares divided into seventy parcels. With around fifteen different kinds of soil, the estate has access to exceptional diversity for this more modest of Bordeaux appellations. This variety in the earth allows for a range of grapes to be grown, especially Cabernet sauvignon (63%), Merlot (28%), Petit Verdot, and Cabernet franc. “When we blend the wines, the weather, the vintage, and this diversity of terroir all contribute to an interesting complexity. Add to this the fact that we cultivate four different varietals and you’ll understand where the lovely balance comes from,” explains François-Xavier.

“The signature of what we make lies in three elements: the purity of the fruit, incomparable freshness, and elegant tannins.” Duluc can be savoured after four or five years, though it has an ageing potential of twenty-five to thirty years in all! The fine cuvée can be uncorked young, though ideally it should be aged in the cellar for at least ten years…this one has the ability to reach sixty, seventy, or even eighty years of age.

One thing is for sure, the moment we decide to taste a wine depends on our personal taste. Lots of Bordeaux wine certainly have great ageing potential, but many of these cuvées can be enjoyed young, whilst they’re still fruity.