Branaire Ducru 2015 (750ML)

95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a gorgeous, totally sexy wine. Rose petal, lavender, mint, sweet red berry and gently spiced notes give the wine much of its gracious, lilting personality. Precise and nuanced to the core, the 2015 Branaire is all class. It's easy to overlook Brainaire in the context of Saint-Julien, where most of the other important wines are much more powerful. Branaire always speaks with a hushed, discreet voice. Readers who appreciate finesse will find much to admire here. The 2015 is a wine of pure and total sensual pleasure. In 2015, the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. Don't miss it. Tasted two times." 2/18

93 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "More open than many 2015 St.-Juliens at this stage in spite of the firm, dry tannin structure behind the bright cassis. The tannins need some integration, but with some patience (from 2021 or 2022), this will become a rather fine wine." 02/18

94 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (WS #33 wine of 2018): "This pumps lush fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture notes along, pushed by a rather polished but ample structure. Lots of anise and violet details cascade in on the finish, giving this extra aromatic dimension. Best from 2020 through 2038. 15,000 cases made." 3/18

95 Points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast: "This family-owned estate has produced a structured and dark wine with great concentration balanced by acidity and pure, creamy fruit. It is a wine with a good future. The aftertaste leaves juicy acidity and firm tannins. Drink from 2025." 2/18

93 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "The 2015 main bottling, as with the 2nd wine, has an approachability, an accessibility and a warmth to the fruits, with touches of grilled smoky oak. This is lovely, it has a good freshness to it and keeps the fruit bouncing along right through the palate. Less intensity than the 2016, but lots to enjoy and again the effortless balance of the appellation." 12/18