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Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, 2016 (Ex-Negociant)

Red Wine from Bordeaux, France
by Chateau Branaire-Ducru
$89.99
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Fourth Growth Saint-Julien from an estate founded in 1680, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre first recognized this stony terroir's potential. The 60-hectare vineyard sits between Margaux and Pauillac overlooking the Gironde—some of Bordeaux's warmest gravel soils. Patrick Maroteaux took over in 1988 and completely rebuilt the cellar in 1992 for gravity-fed, plot-by-plot vinification. "Ex-Négociant" means this bottle moved through Bordeaux's traditional merchant system. The 2016 vintage is widely considered among the decade's finest. Decant an hour; cellar for decades.

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Antonio Galloni

93 points

"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." —Antonio Galloni

Robert Parker

94 points

"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." —William Kelley

Jancis Robinson

17 points

"Concentrated purplish crimson. Intensity and a real St-Julien edge and balance to this wine on the nose. Juicy and polished. Lively and transparent. Great texture and future."

Decanter

94 points

"You can immediately see the quality and the depth of the 2016 vintage in the complexity of the expression and construction. Bottled in early July, extremely rich and full of black brambly hawthorn-edged fruits. The quality of the tannins is extremely impressive, there are lots of them, and they build over the course of the palate, but they are not constraining, and have a fine texture. After five minutes in the glass the blackcurrant fruit starts to come out. The tannins close in again on the finish, suggesting there is a long life ahead. A vintage that is so good for St Julien, not to be missed."

Wine Spectator

96 points

"The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039."

Wine Enthusiast

95 points

"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." —Roger Voss

More about Chateau Branaire-Ducru

Also a Fourth Growth in Saint-Julien, Branaire-Ducru's 50 hectares are scattered across the appellation, planted 70% Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2024, they finished a modernization featuring 65 gravity-fed stainless steel vats—old wine, new methods, consistent excellence.

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Herb-roasted lamb chops, roasted beef tenderloin, wild boar, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar

Tasting Profile

Elegant and complex with red cherry, plum, and mineral character. The palate displays refined tannins, herbal notes, and subtle oak leading to a balanced, persistent finish.