Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him, and expanded the appellations in his domaine either through inheritance, purchase, or a system of leasing called "fermage." Aromas of stone and citrus fruits. The palate shows lemons with crisp apple, mineral & oak notes. This medium-body wine has good balance with integrated acidity, lingering, finishing smooth with a citrus mineral ending. Very Nice! — 5 years ago

Michael Piaker

8.9

6 April 2018. Verre de Terre, New York, NY. — 6 years ago

Bryce Pinkos

10

Great wine by local grower who was formerly a heart surgeon. The label is many to be the circulatory system. — 6 years ago

Jugoslav Petkovic

9.8

Definitely takes getting used to this style of Champagne, but this solera system blend is definitely something you won’t forget even if it’s not your favorite style. Still it’s more elegant than Selosse’s other editions. — 7 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

friend had the wine recently and couldn't get over how good it was. He's right. Great acidity that is integrated well, ripe dark cherry fruit, creamy texture. Very sauvage. The fruit is very intense, cherry essence and the nose is powerful and also intense--just like the wine. No mushrooms, but there is a little sous bois. Would have called it 93 or 96, really good middle age red Burgundy. I like it. Rated 1 on the Zanotti binary system, meaning worth drinking. — 7 years ago

Marcio Morelli

9.5

Not a rose as identified.
A blend of 2005 botrytised sauvignon blanc (SB) and dry SB from the subsequent vintages through solera system.
Sweet, freaking acid w/ slight oxidative notes. Unique! — 7 years ago

with Otavio

Mike R

9.3

The election is almost over - thank you very much - too much stress - but this wine is helping so much - dark gorgeous fruit with a taste to the tongue that makes feel so much better - then the finish comes in all seems tranquil and the solar system seems aligned again - see what wine can do - decanted 1 hour - smiling again — 8 years ago

Anton Klima

9.4

best red in a long time ... very original ... local grapes and unrefined ... this wine(maker) has a fantastic future ... keep watching and tasting it !!! highly recommended — 8 years ago

Marc T

9.2

There r no values in the bcldb system. Why is govt in the booze business.? That said this is one damn delicious Chianti riserva at a modest price. — 9 years ago

Robbie Ward

9.2

So alive you can almost feel it working its way through your system. Bright and mesmerising in its delivery. Yes dark to look at but light when you drink it. Wonderful stuff — 9 years ago

Bryan Vogt

10

Like in spinal tap, the rating system should go to 11 for this whisky — 9 years ago

Ryan Brazell

Rise Over Run

9.5

Would gladly drink gallons of this were it not for the EU and their silly metric system. — 10 years ago

George Hesse

9.6

What a treat! Thanks to the Coravin system, this exquisite Mouton Rothschild was available by the glass! — 5 years ago

with Jennifer

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, bright, ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blue fruit mix, strawberries, creamy raspberries, plums, cranberries, black tea, loamy soils, dry clay, dry stones, limestone minerals, saddlewood, crush dry rocks, dark moist soils, dark chocolate, vanilla, field of violets, lavender and fresh red florals.
The palate is medium-full yet a little lean. The fruits are elegant, ruby, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blue fruit mix, strawberries, creamy raspberries, plums, cranberries, black tea, loamy soils, dry clay, dry stones, limestone minerals, used leather, cedar, crush dry rocks, dark moist soils, dark chocolate, vanilla, field of violets, lavender and fresh red florals. The acidity is very good. The length, balance and length are nice. The structure a little lean. It a well polished rich fruit finish, but is a little short.

Photos of; the Chateau, Owner Patrick Maroteaux (may he RIP), Estate grapes and their barrel room.

Producer notes & history...Branaire Ducru has a long history has a long history that dates back to 1680. In those days, Branaire Ducru was a part of a larger Beychevelle. When the owner of Beychevelle passed away, he left behind a huge Bordeaux vineyard that was seriously in debt. To pay off the debt, the vineyard was broken up and sold. Several new estates were created in Saint Julien, which include Chateau Branaire Ducru. Jean-Baptiste Braneyre created the estate in 1680. As was was tradition in Bordeaux, the owner gave the estate his name, which is where the first part of the properties name came was given. Braneyre was later altered to Branaire. Braneyre bought the land we know as Branaire Ducru because of the terroir. He understood that Cabernet Sauvignon grew best on the deep gravel soils found in the Medoc. With that, we have the birth of Branaire Ducru. Or, at least the Branaire part. The middle name was gained through marriage. Marie Braneyre married Pierre de Luc which as you can guess, gave us the Branaire Duluc (the name of their 2nd wine). Almost 100 years later, the first winery at the property was constructed in 1824. It took almost 200 years for the Ducru portion of the wines name to make its way to the label. In 1875, with no direct descendants, Gustave Ducru, a more distant relative took over the property and added his name to the label making it, Chateau Branaire Ducru.

Patrick Maroteaux bought Branaire Ducru in 1988 from the Tapie family who had owned It since 1919. Prior to his ownership of Branaire Ducru, Patrick Maroteaux had no prior experience in the wine business. His background was in banking and then a president of the massive sugar company, Eurosucre. Patrick Maroteaux also served as the President of the UGCB, Union of Grand Crus Bordeaux, and as the President of the Saint Julien appellation.
Since his purchase, Patrick Maroteaux has focused much of his efforts on performing extensive work in the vineyards and in the cellars. He also began reducing the yields. Additionally, he increased the size of their vineyards by 10 hectares. Patrick was also modernized their winemaking techniques.
In fact, Patrick Maroteaux was one of the first producers in the Left Bank to being filling his tanks entirely by gravity. He did this beginning with the 91 vintage. This was done with the help of Philippe Dhalluin.

Philippe Dhalluin left Branaire Ducru in 2004 and took the same position as the director for wine making at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Philippe Dhalluin was replaced by Jean Dominique Videau.

Chateau Branaire Ducru is a family business. The son of Patrick Maroteaux, François Xavier Maroteaux has carried the family business and joined the estate. Sadly, on November 19, 2017, Patrick Maroteaux passed away at the age of 67. His son, François Xavier Maroteaux took over the full time responsibilities of managing the property.

All the new technical improvements at Branaire Ducru quickly paid off for Patrick Maroteaux. Beginning with the 2000 vintage, Branaire Ducru became one of the top Saint Julien wines. It’s also one of the better values for high quality Bordeaux.

The 60 hectare vineyard of Branaire Ducru is planted to 65% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is very close to the size it was during the time of the 1855 Classification.

The terroir is deep gravel with clay soils. The best terroir is located near the chateau, closest to the Gironde river. They also have blocks further inland, with a small section of vines placed close to Chateau Lagrange and Chateau Talbot. The vineyard can be divided into 15 different blocks with 70 different parcels of vines. On average, the vines are close to 35 years of age. However, the estate has older vines as well. The oldest vines date back close to 90 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,700 to 10,000 vines per hectare. The higher levels of vine density are for the newer plantings. The goal of the property is to continue increasing the vine density in all of their better terroirs.

Branaire Ducru, fermentation takes place in 28 temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. The 28 vats vary in size. The vats range in size from as small as 30 hectoliters and up to 210 hectoliters. Each vat is sized for the needs of each specific vineyard parcel. Each vat is filled using the gravity based system.
Branaire Ducru is aged in 60 to 65% new, French oak barrels for between 16-20 months. The amount of new oak varies depending on the quality, character and style of each vintage. On average, the annual production is about 25,000 cases depending on the vintage. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.5

I made a comment about "high-octane fuel" a little earlier, and based on the aromatics, prototypically, this is it.
Aromas of syrop du cassis, rich black fruits and anise prepare the palette for what is to come. The experience in the mouth does not disappoint. It's plump with a luscious mouthfeel. Not overly done. It's heavily extracted, but still presents harmoniously with bright acidity, tannins that fight back and 14.8% abv. Hints of coffee, jam compote and nutmeg finish with power, yet subtlety.
This is my first taste of their cab, and PM have again jammed a quart into a pint pot.
On a different topic, America, please join the rest of the progressive nations and use the metric system. There, I feel better already.
😃🇺🇸 — 8 years ago

Eric Egan

9.0

Just a small taste today; testing out the durability of a cork over time with the coravin system so will give this a stress-test of 20+ punches over the next few months. The wine is holding up well; a lovely golden hue with a nose of apricots, mandarins, orange zest, and a hint of creme brûlée. Not the most complex of sauternes but it has plenty of richness and sufficient acidity to bind it all together. — 8 years ago

Oliver Schweitzer

9.4

#delectableapp since you so urgently want to know what I need from a wine app: a tracking system (through the distribution chain) for numbered bottles, like for large sea animals and birds.
Great wine, drink now but no need to drink up. — 9 years ago

Arielle Gardner

8.9

LCD sound system — 9 years ago

Lobo Di Noccento

9.9

And yet another massive screw up by this computerized system this vintage of Serendipity Wine which is brewed and bottled in New Glarus Wisconsin hard as that might be to believe is not from NV. — 10 years ago

Brian S

9.3

Green apples and pear, with what tastes like oak aging but was told it was 10-15 year solera system. Very complex grand cru that I would love to revisit in 5-10 years. Still trying to understand this one. — 6 years ago

Antonio Gianola

9.2

Wines like this renew my faith in the Pago system — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Colour of Rich Yellow Gold. I served this wine in Red Burgundy Glasses. Oxidative Sherry like notes from the solera system. Also the first Champagne I have ever decanted. Mature developed flavours. Notes of hazelnut and mouldy orange. An amazing wine - not really Champagne as we know it. 100% Avize Chardonnay. Disgorged 4th July 2008 so plenty of bottle development. Following the advice of Roscoe Halligan of Prince Wine Store (after he had been advised by Selosse himself) regarding Decanting and appropriate stemware, and required age I can now say I “get” Selosse Substance, appreciate it and will buy in the future. He bottles at the minimum atmosphere required by law. Unique can be an overused word with Wine but I am confident in saying this is truly unique. Fitting for my better half’s birthday! — 6 years ago

Katherine Bordelon

Court of Master Sommelier Guild member

9.1

The canopy system used in the Rias Baxias region of northwest Spain provides for ample aeration and keeps the vines protected from the moist ground which breeds an environment not conducive to support healthy clusters. The Galician climate receives moisture from the Atlantic and is mostly sticky, warm and rainy with rain ☔️ most days during the year. Winters are a bit harsh and cold. The humid, salt air is what this viticultural environment is all about. The mostly white wines made here are highly acidic, with notes of tart, green apple 🍏 and white flowers. Most wines are aged in stainless steel and some see new, French oak for a few months. Then they are aged in the bottle. You can cellar them for up to 5-6 years. The Albariño grape is the most expensive and most difficult to produce in all of Spain. — 7 years ago

with Edmond

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Stunning 90% Sangiovese! Not a super tuscan like many other reviews tell you! This is an awesome old school producer who bailed out of the Italian system. Hence he cannot call his wines Chianti. Very elegant and plenty of cherry 🍒 notes left. To bad it cost so much. From Max Kogod in North San Diego county. — 7 years ago

David Morera

9.2

Excelent! Intens, fragant. Molt boo. — 7 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

A beautiful crimson glow in the glass. Cherries, moist earth and iron combine to tease the olfactory system. My mouth was filled with glee as I did not expect such a vibrant mixture of fruit,acid and tannin. No danger of fading but also not sure it gets better as it appears to be in the sweet spot wine lovers are always on the search for. — 8 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

Discovered these wines at Garagiste in Seattle way back when they were 40 bucks. Slightly orange tinge. Don't get a lot in the nose just a hint of iron. On the palate leather. Lost its fruit may be closed? May be I am unfair? Will try this wine over the next two days and adjust my rating if I was wrong. Ok here we go a day later under Argon (I build my own system) this wine shines! Now it has dark faint cherry notes and some cedar plank slightly bitter in the back. Long but light on its feet! This is one beautiful spectacular classic Brunello! Can't believe the average price is now 81 bucks 50% more but this happens quite often with the gems I discover early enough in their geek/enthusiast price cycle. By the way their 2012 Chianti is also very good for much less but more rustic. — 9 years ago

Lyle Railsback

10

The salt ponds from Point Judith Pond, RI get 96 points and the Wiannos from Cape Cod, MA get 97 points. This 100 point system is so great for enjoying food and wine! — 9 years ago

Gregory P. Smith

9.0

Nice cheap Bordeaux from Costco. Goes well with BBQ magic animal ribs while reading over health insurance claim payment detail statements and bemoaning how stupidly intentionally inefficient and wasteful our country's joke of a healthcare system is. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

10

This was disgorged in 2007, before the ID system, but I was told by the Maison that it is based on 2001 with reserves going back to the mid 80's. better in every way than the younger bottle; more Meunier savor, more Pinot power & chard focus. Great stuff. — 11 years ago

with Cleora