2010 Branaire Ducru

From a château just across the street from Beychevelle, in the southern part of Saint-Julien, the 2010 Château Branaire-Ducru is largely Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The château never seems to deliver the density and structure of Ducru-Beaucaillou (located just to the north) or the supple sexiness of Beychevelle, but it always has remarkable purity and precision, with a terrific sense of class and elegance. Still youthfully ruby-hued, it has a terrific perfume of red and black currants, freshly sharpened cedar pencils, dried flowers, and savory herbs and tobacco notes. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays focused and tight on the palate, with classic 2010 purity, precision, and structure that’s balanced by considerable elegance. It clearly offers pleasure today, particularly with a decant, yet I suspect it will benefit from another 4-5 years in the cellar. It should be long-lived.

The 2010 Branaire-Ducru has a lovely mélange of red and black fruit, hints of dried blood and autumn leaves suggesting that this is moving into its secondary phase. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, good body and a fresh marine-tinged finish that is an absolute joy. There is an abiding symmetry about this wine and it is in for the long-haul. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.