Chateau Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2018
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Rated 97/100 by James Suckling (top 13% of their reviews).
From our sommelier team
A Saint-Julien Fourth Growth from a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, plus Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot), aged 18-24 months in barrel with roughly half new oak; the 2018 shows deep purple color, cassis, blackberry, cedar and lead-pencil notes, with medium body, fine-grained tannin and a spine of fresh acidity that many critics consider a peak vintage for the estate.
A 1934 bottle of Branaire-Ducru is a plot device in Roald Dahl's short story "Taste," giving this Fourth Growth an unusual literary footnote alongside its classification pedigree; the estate also uses gravity-flow handling of fruit to minimize mechanical stress on the grapes.
Signature pairings
- Herb-crusted rack of lamb — Fine-grained tannin and cedar-tinged dark fruit suit roast lamb, a traditional Médoc pairing that echoes the wine's structure without overpowering it.
- Duck confit with red wine jus (Confit de canard) — The wine's silky tannin and blackberry-cassis profile complement the richness of duck confit and its own wine-based sauce.
- Mushroom and truffle risotto — The earthy, underbrush and sous-bois notes in the wine mirror mushroom and truffle aromatics, a flavor-bridging match for an elegant medium-bodied red.
Château Branaire-Ducru 2018 is a classically structured Saint-Julien that showcases the elegance and balance characteristic of the appellation. The blend—dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—delivers a medium-full body with refined tannins and measured acidity.
On the nose, blackcurrant and black cherry lead, with secondary notes of cedar and oak providing complexity. The palate reveals layered dark fruit, tobacco undertones, and a mineral earthiness that speaks to the terroir. This is a wine built for the table: structured enough to age gracefully, yet approachable enough to enjoy in its youth with proper food pairing.
Details
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux
- Subregion
- Saint-Julien
- Variety
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- Vintage
- 2018 **
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
** Vintage may change — please confirm with our team before ordering.
Taste profile
- Body
- Medium-Full
- Acidity
- Medium
- Tannin
- Medium
Pairs well with
- Grilled red meat & steak
- Lamb dishes
- Hard & aged cheese
- Mushroom & truffle dishes
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