Château Branaire Ducru St.-Julien 2019

Wine Advocate : 95 Points

(4/7/2022) The 2019 Branaire-Ducru unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants, sweet soil tones and hints of cigar wrapper, rose petals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's youthfully tightly wound, with terrific concentration, tangy acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. While this is a little reserved out of the gates, its energy and classical proportions will richly reward bottle age. Drink Date: 2029 - 2065.

Wine Spectator : 94 Points

(3/31/2022) Leads with vivid violet and cassis, while dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry reduction notes follow quickly. Racy, structured and well-built, with graphite and apple wood driving through the finish. Very pure and aromatic, featuring a nice sanguine echo that lingers at the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038.

James Suckling : 95 Points

(12/6/2021) Very clear fruit character of blackcurrants, orange peel and spices. Some walnut, too. It’s full-bodied with integrated, polished tannins and shows finesse and focus. Love the focused fruit at the end of this. Strength with finesse. Give it four to five years of bottle age. Try after 2024.

Decanter : 96 Points

(10/30/2023) Tempting nose, full of aromatic black fruits, perfume, liquorice and salty stones. Juicy, ripe, and controlled, I love the upfront nature of this, bright, lively energy, you can feel the concentration in the chalky, dry just-spiced edges on the tongue, giving a piquance, but the acidity, soft sweetness and roundness is there. Such a beautiful expression, refined and finessed, charming and precise. The detail and nuance is there covered slightly by the ripe cherry and strawberry fruit but there is such joy to this. Charming and classic in the best way. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2050.