Château Branaire-Ducru 2022 [in bond ex vat] (6 x 75cl) en primeur landing Spring 2025

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

6 x 75cl * 13.5% ABV * Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Owned by the Maroteaux family since 1988, the 60-hectare estate is now run by Jean-François after the passing of his father, Patrick, in 2017. Located next door to Beychevelle in the heart of St. Julien, which boasts more Cru Classe vineyards than anywhere else in Bordeaux. This is a fantastic price for a sometimes overlooked Fourth Growth estate, which consistently gives us excellent wines.

“This is an estate that can be so understated as to almost miss its complexity, but this vintage, with its excess and exuberance, does a wonderful job of drawing it out. The concentration is impressive, but there you'll also find a softness and balance that is juicy and enticing. Great job Branaire Ducru. Francois Xavier Maroteaux owner. I honestly think the best example of this château that I have ever tasted En Primeur (and god I hate it when critics say that)." 96 points, Jane Anson, janeanson.com

"A brilliant wine that's the finest young vintage I've tasted at this Saint-Julien estate, the 2022 Branaire-Ducru wafts from the glass with aromas of violets, blackberries, sweet cassis, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional palate that's succulent, sapid and perfumed, framed by supple tannins and concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. In addition to the quality of the vintage, the new gravity-flow winery means fruit can be handled more gently, and picked more precisely, sub-block by sub-block, as the team now have fully 63 vats at their disposal, almost double their capacity through 2020. Given the Maroteaux family's sensible approach to pricing, this is likely to number among the must-purchase wines of the 2022 vintage, and it comes warmly recommended." 95-97 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (April 2023)

"The fine and intense tannins are very impressive because they fold beautifully into the wine, with blackcurrants, black cherries, hints of chocolate and hazelnuts. It`s full-bodied with tight and focused fruit and a long and classy finish. Fantastic definition to this. Fresh." 96-97 points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2023

Drink 2030-2045+