Château Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2025 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This estate, located directly across from Château Beychevelle, has been completely revitalized by the Maroteaux family, who purchased it in 1988. The wine, produced from plots spread throughout the appellation, requires meticulous blending, a task carried out by a highly skilled team. Its consistency is exemplary, as is that of the second wine, Duluc.

Decanter

About the wine:

On the nose, aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry leaf, licorice, and wet stones. Smooth and supple, with lovely clarity. A bit tight for now, but with great clarity and purity, featuring notes of blueberries and wet stones. Very pronounced minerality. Succulent and mouth-watering, this wine is generous and convivial, resting on a mineral base of crushed stone. pH of 3.65. A yield of 33 hl/ha. 6% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. 2032–2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

With its Château (Directoire period) and orangery (18th century) featuring clean, simple lines, lovers of Neoclassical architecture will be delighted by a visit to this beautiful estate, which rises on the hillside above Beychevelle. Composed of gravel, this terroir is of the highest quality, and its potential for wine production was recognized as early as the late 17th century, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre purchased the estate. With a 60-hectare vineyard, the estate has been owned by 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:

Located next to Beychevelle, the estate was purchased in 1988 by a family-owned group led by Patrick Maroteaux; more than two-thirds of the approximately 50 hectares under cultivation are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, and, in addition to Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the vineyard includes 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. Having left for Mouton Rothschild in 2003, Philippe Dalhuin was replaced by Jean-Dominique Videau—who has since kept the focus on quality. New oak, in particular, is always used sparingly.

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-visit estates. In recent years, the château has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Due to the nature of its terroir, Branaire-Ducru cannot produce a wine as full-bodied as those from the three Léovilles; it operates on a different level, offering more finesse and suppleness, while aging admirably. The most recent vintages have reached a remarkable standard.

Vinous

James Suckling

About the wine:

On the nose, rich aromas of black fruit, cedar, and a hint of tar. A medium- to full-bodied wine with a profile that is both expressive and concentrated, featuring a precise structure and fine, high-quality tannins. Refined and well-balanced.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of the 2025 Branaire is full of finesse and freshness, with aromas of violets, cinnamon, and blueberries complemented by a hint of graphite. The attack heralds a velvety palate, where the wine is guided by powerful tannins that lend it both vigor and precision, as well as freshness. A savory, harmonious, and lingering wine. A fine achievement.  2029–2055