Duluc 2008 - Second vin du Château Branaire-Ducru

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Not particularly full-bodied but supple and well-balanced, better suited for the table than for standing out in a blind tasting.

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 vineyards 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.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The second wine, Duluc de Branaire-Ducru 2008, is equally remarkable: fruity, spicy, oaky, with a hint of animal notes, rich, generous, and also well-suited for aging (four to five years).

About the estate:

With its sleek lines, the château (Directoire period) and orangery (18th century) will delight lovers of neoclassical architecture during 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 wine:

It was an excellent choice to aim for finesse through gentle extraction, resulting in a wine with a delicate, almost ethereal texture. A magnificent "Burgundian" style that will appeal to refined palates.

About the estate:

Located next to Beychevelle, the château 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 moved to 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 greater finesse and suppleness, while aging admirably. The most recent vintages have reached a remarkable standard.