Chateau Branaire Ducru, St. Julien 2023 (1x75cl)

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2023 is a Saint-Julien red from an estate classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855. The official estate technical sheet gives a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 3.5% Petit Verdot. Harvest ran from 12 September to 4 October at about 53 hl/ha; the estate notes 13.1% alcohol and pH 3.63, with ageing planned around 18 months in barrel (about 60% new) in the gravity-fed cellar.

Tasting notes

The estate summarises 2023 as a wine of balance and finesse after the opulent 2022 — more classic in style, with fine tannin structure from excellent late-summer and early-autumn conditions, and an expressive nose of ripe fruit with spice and freshness on a round, silky palate.