François-Xavier Maroteaux, co-owner and chairman of Château Branaire-Ducru, says it up front: with 85% of classed growths, Saint-Julien remains the most homogeneous appellation of the Médoc appellations. Yet, and it would be a pity if it wasn’t so, we distinguish very special terroirs within the AOC of 910 hectares (6% of the appellations of Médoc).
The vineyard of Château Branaire-Ducru covers 60 hectares and is composed of about fifteen micro-terroirs, running along an east-west axis on the southern part of the appellation. The average 35-year-old vines extend on quaternary gravel-siliceous alluvial soils. This makes it one of the hottest terroirs in the region, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon in particular to develop by ensuring perfect phenolic maturation, with Merlot finding its own land on clay.
Château Branaire-Ducru is the rare and exquisite representative of elegant wines, full of finesse and suppleness. A distinction totally assumed by the masters of the place. François-Xavier Maroteaux reminds us that the by-plot approach is neither more nor less the setting to music of the individualities of the terroir! Here they remain convinced of the intrinsic quality of the terroirs and they do not allocate the harvest of a plot to Duluc de Branaire-Ducru, the second wine, and another to Château Branaire-Ducru. The tasting defines the assignments.
In 1991 Patrick Maroteaux, Fraçois-Xavier’s father, visionary, completely reorganized the cellars with the development of one of the first gravitational vats and by-plot winemaking in small vats. He very quickly advocated soft extractions and usutainable farming methods. Jean-Dominique Videau, the winemaker of Branaire-Ducru, remains a supporter of early blendings. The château also opted for exclusive work with Taransaud for controlled elevage, which must meet the motto: “Branaire is a style, and a style that is repeated!”
Henry Clemens
Château Branaire Ducru 2016, Saint-Julien
Nice intense nose on toasted notes of coffee, dark chocolate, green pepper and drying oak wood. Rich and voluminous in the mouth with a very nice sweetness that gives it a very moreish character, followed by a mid-palate of beautiful and distinguished structure. Rich, smooth, well-integrated tannins that support a beautiful long finish. An excellent wine with a distinguished and elegant character. Great potential. Ageing: 2022-2035.
Château Branaire Ducru 2015, Saint-Julien
Nice nose with aromas of tobacco, coffee, sweet spices, cherries and ripe cassis. In the palate, a beautiful rich and tasty material, well-balanced by a nice fresh acidity, soft and integrated tannins, a long and moreish finish. A distinguished and classy wine with great potential. A grand wine. Ageing: 2022-2025.
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