The estate, at the southern end of Saint-Julien, has produced a wine that is both structured and stylish. This bold, ripe wine shows opulent black fruits and generous tannins. Juicy and structured, it has good aging potential. Drink from 2025.
95 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (May 2019)
The best vintage of this wine since 2009! Effusive, fresh redcurrant and cassis aromas give this St.-Julien terrific drive and energy, the elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body, right through the long, agile finish. Drink or hold.
95 points, James Suckling (Feb 2019)
The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a real classic, and in the fullness of time, it will likely rival or even surpass the more charming, demonstrative 2019. Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of dark berries, cassis, loamy soil, pencil shavings and cigar smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a taut, structured profile and a long, penetrating finish. The only missing ingredient here is time.
94+ points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)
The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is deep garnet colored. It jumps with notes of ripe, juicy blackberries and blackcurrants, followed by hints of lilacs and kirsch plus a touch of underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is laden with juicy black fruits, supported by soft tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a mineral lift.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Dec 2022)
The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is powerful, dense and explosive to a degree that is surprising for a wine that is typically much more sensual. There is lovely definition throughout, but readers will have to be patient to catch the 2016 at its very best. Hints of leather, smoke, tobacco and dried flowers begin to open up in the glass, but the 2016 is quite reticent at this stage. In two tastings I found the 2016 unusually closed. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what time brings.
93+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2019)
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