Duluc de Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2020 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vineyard, located just opposite Château Beychevelle, was completely taken over by the Maroteaux family, who bought it in 1988. The wine, produced from plots spread across the entire appellation, requires rigorous blending, which is achieved by a highly skilled team. Its consistency is exemplary, as is that of the second wine, Duluc.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

With its sleek lines, the château (Directoire period) and orangery (18th century) will delight lovers of neoclassical architecture. This beautiful complex stands on the hillside above Beychevelle. Composed of gravel, this is a terroir of choice, whose viticultural interest was recognized as early as the end of the 17th century, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre purchased the estate. With a 60-hectare vineyard, the estate has belonged to the Maroteaux family since 1988, who have made significant investments to restore the property to its former glory.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

Neighboring Beychevelle, the château was purchased in 1988 by a family group led by Patrick Maroteaux. More than two-thirds of the fifty hectares under cultivation are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, and in addition to Merlot and Cabernet Franc, there is also a small amount of Petit Verdot. With the help of the technical director at the time, Philippe Dalhuin, the wines gained in density and consistency, without ever losing their soul. Philippe Dalhuin left for Mouton Rothschild in 2003 and was replaced by Jean-Dominique Videau, who has since maintained the focus on quality. New oak, in particular, is always used with restraint.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

François-Xavier, son of the late Patrick Maroteaux, now runs this admirable estate. Branaire-Ducru has quietly risen to the top and is now one of the Médoc's must-see properties. In recent years, the château has benefited from state-of-the-art technical equipment. Due to the nature of its terroir, Branaire-Ducru cannot produce wines as full-bodied as those produced by the three Léovilles; it plays on a different register, with more finesse and suppleness, while aging admirably. The latest vintages have reached a remarkable level.