Chateau Branaire-Ducru Grand Cru Classe '14 '18 750ml
93 pts James Suckling - "This really builds on the palate with round and velvety tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Layered and complex. Shows real potential."
94 pts Wine Spectator - "Focused and a touch austere for now, with a charcoal edge to the core of black currant and steeped fig fruit. Tobacco and bramble notes check in on the finish, and there’s solid acidity in reserve. Well-built and should evolve nicely."
Tasting Notes: Branaire-Ducru 2014 fully reflects the home style by showing an expressive and rich nose with ripe fruit, but keeping the freshness. The mouth is fleshy at the attack developing along a dense body. The final is complex, the good acidity level gives a beautiful balance.
Optimal serving temperature: 18°C. Decanting the wine at least one hour before serving enables the aromas of Branaire-Ducru 2014 to be fully expressed. Drinkers, who like young wines with plenty of fruit, can start to enjoy it from 2020 onwards. The wines will gain further complexity, if you can wait a few years more. They will live on for several decades.
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb chops, beef tenderloin, aged cheeses, mushroom risotto, and dark chocolate desserts like flourless chocolate cake to accentuate its elegant profile.
ABV: 13.5% / Varieties: 65% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot , 6% petit verdot,
2% cabernet franc / Origin: Bordeaux - Medoc, France