Branaire Ducru

A well-situated Chateau that has reached new heights since the 2000 vintage and now produces one of the most elegant and well-priced St Juliens. The owner, Patrick Maroteaux, puts the emphasis on retaining fruit purity and freshness (and so fermentation at low temperatures, low oak toast, etc). Enjoyable and drinkable when young but structured and balanced to age well. These days Branaire is a beautifully elegant wine - and of the 2009 Robert Parker was inspired to proclaim: "Haut couture becomes a wine!"