Château Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2018 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé
97/100
James Suckling
97/100
Terre de Vins
2*Coup de Coeur
Hachette
96/100
Vinous
96/100
Yves Beck
"Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever produced? Irresistible!"
Branaire-Ducru 2018 is just as captivating as it was when first released. Its ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 vintage a striking sensuality that only becomes more pronounced as the wine rests in the glass. Succulent notes of red/purple fruit, lavender, rose petals, mint, spices, and gravel develop over time. Even with all its natural brilliance, Branaire remains a model of elegance. It is undoubtedly one of the most overlooked wines of the year. (Vinous 2021) - Wooden case delivery available for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on country and shipping method selected).
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Eye
Beautiful intense purple color
Nose
Already very expressive, with a beautiful complexity of ripe fruit, well balanced by fresher notes. It develops intensity with aeration and the aging is already nicely integrated.
Mouth
Immediately very round on the palate, with impressive volume and extremely fine tannins. It develops slowly and logically, revealing deep fleshiness and beautiful density, all with great refinement. The aromatic complexity and acidity carry the wine throughout the tasting, which ends with a beautiful length of fruit.
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
2 hours before
Drink from
2026
Drink before
2048
Production
180,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy with sautéed veal and porcini mushrooms, confit lamb shank, chicken breast...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2022 guide) 4 stars (Producers of very high quality, the pride of French vineyards)
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
Wine noted (guide 2022) 2* Favorite (Remarkable wine)
Rated estate (2022 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About wine:
Almost shy in its discreet garnet color, this magnificent Saint-Julien is subtle in its aromatic development with beautiful fruity notes, featuring redcurrant and blackcurrant. Soft and caressing, supported by silky, delicate tannins and superb freshness, the palate stretches into a long, smooth, velvety finish that leaves the memory of a wine that is both powerful and charming. Irresistible. 2026-2040
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
4-star rated estate (Very high quality production)
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
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2022 guide) 2 stars (These very large estates, often blessed with fabulous terroirs, are must-haves which, thanks to their consistency and the excellence of their production, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers).
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.
Vinous
Wine rated (2021 guide) 96/100
About wine:
Branaire-Ducru 2018 is just as captivating as it was when first released. Its ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 vintage a striking sensuality that only becomes more pronounced as the wine rests in the glass. Succulent notes of red/purple fruits, lavender, rose petals, mint, spices, and gravel develop over time. Even with all its natural brilliance, Branaire remains a model of elegance. It is undoubtedly one of the most underrated wines of the year. 2026-2048
James Suckling
Wine rated (2021 guide) 97/100
About wine:
Very appealing aromas of blackcurrant, tuile biscuit, and sandalwood, with hints of redcurrant. A medium-bodied to full-bodied wine with a dense, tight palate that lingers. Yet it displays remarkable depth and length. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever produced. Best enjoyed after 2026.
Terre de Vins
Wine rated (2021 guide) 97/100
About wine:
From the nose, it is clear that Branaire-Ducru has not sought over-ripeness. The palate is crisp with black fruit, with Cabernet Sauvignon taking center stage at 58%. The superb acidity that emerges makes this Branaire-Ducru 2018 a real keeper. We'll talk about it again in 20 or 30 years.
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2020 guide) 96/100
About wine:
The bouquet of Branaire 2018 reveals itself gradually, step by step. I note its ability to create a symbiosis between freshness and fullness from an olfactory point of view. It is, of course, finesse that sets the tone on the palate, a relevant and persistent characteristic of Branaire. The tannins are concrete and tight, brilliantly supporting the structure. What precision and clarity in this wine. A great success! 2024-2048
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