Chateau Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien

Saint-Julien in its purest form: Branaire-Ducru combines the typical elegance of the appellation with a clear signature — structured, mineral, with a long finish.

Château Branaire-Ducru is located directly opposite Beychevelle on the Route des Châteaux in the Médoc. The Fourth Growth (Quatrième Grand Cru Classé 1855) grows predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with portions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Since the takeover by the Maroteaux family in the 1980s, the estate has continuously gained in precision — the 2018 vintage received 94 points from Wine Spectator.

In the glass, the 2018 shows a dark ruby red. On the nose, it opens with ripe cherry and red bell pepper, with a hint of graphite underneath. On the palate follows the typical Saint-Julien minerality: berry-fruit core, velvety tannin structure, vanilla note from the barrique aging. The finish is salty and long — exactly the characteristic that distinguishes good Médoc vintages from great ones.

• Food: Rack of lamb with herb crust, entrecôte, ripe Comté
• Temperature: 17–18 °C