2005 Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint Julien (half bottle) (Pre-Arrival)

This Fourth Growth estate has vineyards spread throughout Saint-Julien's alluvial gravel terrain, even though its chateau is located on the southern edge of the appellation. Wines from Château Branaire are densely packed and rather powerful, typically showing complex aromas and flavors of dark berries, exotic cocoa powder, smoky oak and mint. They've recently offered very good value. The chateau also produces a second label wine: Château Duluc. In total, there are 50 hectares, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon, a bit of Merlot and just 4% Petit Verdot, with an average age approaching 40 years, although there are many vines approaching a century.

This Fourth Growth estate has vineyards spread throughout Saint-Julien's alluvial gravel terrain, even though its chateau is located on the southern edge of the appellation. Wines from Château Branaire are densely packed and rather powerful, typically showing complex aromas and fl... more