Chateau Branaire Ducru 1998 (1x75cl)

A Saint-Julien red from 1998, so it's carrying close to 30 years in the bottle. Wines this old vary from bottle to bottle depending on how they were kept, and that's part of the deal when you open something mature — worth knowing before you pick it for a big occasion.

If you do open it, stand it upright a day ahead, pour gently and leave the last bit of sediment behind. Nice for a birthday year bottle or a dinner with someone who appreciates older Bordeaux.

Tasting notes

Mature left-bank Bordeaux typically moves away from fresh fruit towards dried plum, tobacco leaf, leather and forest floor, with softer tannins. Drink soon after opening rather than leaving it for hours.